TRACY A. SCHROEDER PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT

Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula on May 3, 2007, before Chief U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, TRACY A. SCHROEDER, a 36-year-old resident of Bozeman, pled guilty to bank embezzlement. Sentencing is set for October 5, 2007. She is currently released on special conditions.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

SCHROEDER was a branch manager for First Interstate Bank in Bozeman ("FIB").

From on March 15, 2002, until January 20, 2006, SCHROEDER embezzled approximately $34,632.07 from FIB.

SCHROEDER had funds transferred from two overdraft accounts and an expense account at FIB to a credit card advance clearing account. She then had the funds transferred to two joint accounts she shared with her husband and an account belonging to his business. SCHROEDER concealed her identity by transferring funds on deposit tickets on which she only wrote the depositing account number, not personal information which was usually required.

When confronted, SCHROEDER admitted to taking the funds. SCHROEDER further admitted she knew it was wrong to take the funds.

SCHROEDER faces possible penalties of 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana

P.O. Box 1478
Billings, MT 59103

CONTACT

Kurt Alme
First Assistant U.S. Attorney
(406) 247-4669