Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell has sentenced Amy D. Shelton, a 38-year-old woman from Oklahoma City, to 30 months in prison for bank fraud and willfully making and subscribing a false federal income tax return. Following her imprisonment, Shelton will be subject to five years of supervised release. She is also required to pay $870,934.67 in restitution to her former employer and $309,167 to the IRS.
"Shelton not only stole from a local business owner, but she also betrayed her employer’s trust," stated U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. "This deliberate decision not only affected her employer but also defrauded the government, harming taxpayers."
Christopher J. Altemus Jr., Special Agent in Charge at the IRS Criminal Investigation's Dallas Field Office, remarked on the case: "Ms. Shelton’s sentence sends a clear message that tax fraud is not a victimless crime, and the government will hold these criminals accountable for their actions." He further noted that Shelton embezzled over one million dollars and failed to report all her income when filing taxes.
Shelton began working as an account manager for her employer in 2015 with responsibilities including handling payroll and financial documents. From May 2019 through November 2022, she wrote over 150 checks to herself totaling more than $1.1 million which she used to buy luxury items such as recreational vehicles and jewelry.
As part of her plea agreement and sentencing, Shelton must pay nearly $1.2 million in restitution covering back taxes, penalties, and interest owed both to her former employer and the IRS.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS-Criminal Investigations alongside the U.S. Secret Service while Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot P. Anderson prosecuted the case.
Shelton has been allowed to remain on bond until she voluntarily surrenders to the U.S Bureau of Prisons.
