Woman Pleads Guilty To Theft

BENTONVILLE — A Siloam Springs woman faces 30 years in prison for stealing more than $25,000 from her employer.

Karen Sue Fields, 46, pleaded guilty Thursday to theft of property, a Class B felony, and forgery in the second degree, a Class C felony.

Fields’ guilty pleas were to the court and without the benefit of a plea agreement, so her punishment will be up to Circuit Judge Jon Comstock.

Fields could be sentenced from five to 20 years in prison for the theft charge, and from three to 10 years for the other felony charge. Comstock also has the option to place Fields on probation.

She was arrested April 3, 2009. Fields worked as an accountant for Love’s Metal Fabrication in Rogers, according to court documents. Owner Steven Love discovered an altered Sept. 2, 2008, check for $516. Love confronted Fields about the altered check and fired her, according to court documents.

Love later found other altered checks, and discovered the total loss was $27,939 from 45 checks, according to court documents.

Circuit Judge Jon Comstock ordered complete a pre-sentencing report, and Fields’ sentencing will be Sept. 13.

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