Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Camela C. Theeler, U.S. District Judge, sentenced a Rapid City woman for bank fraud and theft by a credit union employee. The sentencing occurred on February 10, 2025.
Ashley Viken, aged 41, received an 11-month federal prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $700 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution totaling $119,085.95—$50,000 to Black Hills Federal Credit Union and $69,085.95 to CUMIS Insurance Society, Inc.
Viken faced charges from an August 2024 federal grand jury indictment for one count of bank fraud and 28 counts of theft by a credit union employee. She pleaded guilty on November 26, 2024.
Between July 2022 and March 2024, while working as an accountant at Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU), Viken executed a scheme to defraud BHFCU for personal gain. She wrote 29 cashier’s checks totaling $119,085.95 from an account owned by BHFCU and falsely documented them as reissued checks or refunds to members but deposited them into accounts she controlled. To conceal her actions, she falsified bank documents and used the funds personally.
The FBI investigated this case with Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuting it.
Viken is required to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service at a future date.
