Ralls County woman now living in Alabama admits to embezzling $1.2 million from employer, faces 30 years in prison

ST. LOUIS – A woman formerly from Perry, Mo., admitted on Thursday to embezzling more than $1.2 million from her employer during a six-year span.

Stephanie D. Carper, 51, admitted taking advantage of her position as secretary of a family-owned Ralls County agricultural business to write checks to herself, according to a press release from the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

From September 2013 to September 2019, Carper filled in her own name on at least 44 checks written to Saints Avenue Bank, formerly known as Ralls County State Bank, that were pre-signed by the company’s owner, Liter Fertilizer and Chemical in Center, and his relatives so they could be used to pay vendors, Carper’s plea agreement says. Carper then wrote in false explanations on bank deposit slips and the check registry to conceal her thefts.

Carper used the money — a total of $1,219,192 — to buy a 2015 Nissan Murano SUV, a 2016 Toyota Tundra pickup, a Caterpillar 247 skid loader and vacations to Alaska and elsewhere, the plea agreement says.

Carper, who has since moved to Eufaula, Ala., pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey to a felony bank fraud charge. Carper could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine at her sentencing, scheduled for Jan. 9, 2023. She also will be ordered to repay the money.

The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman prosecuted the case.