Maryland Heights Woman Convicted of Embezzling from Employer

St. Louis, MO – Wende Terrill, 48, of Maryland Heights, MO, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for one count of wire fraud.  Terrill’s trial took place before U.S. District Court Judge Rodney Sippel and set a sentencing hearing for June 20, 2019.

According to testimony at trial, in 2017, Terrill was serving as Controller for Midwest Petroleum where she embezzled approximately $210,000.  Terrill’s scheme involved a wire transfer and numerous checks fraudulently issued by her from company funds.  The checks were then converted by her to cashier’s checks and written to “vendors” that had not actually performed any services for the company.  Terrill concealed her scheme through manipulation of internal company records and false representations to co-workers.  Some of the funds were traced overseas, but the ultimate end recipients were unable to be determined.

"Not all criminals wear a mask and point a gun," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "In this case, Wende Terrill was a beloved long-time employee who abused that trust to embezzle more than $200,000 from a family-owned business."    

Terrill faces a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 or both. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Gwen Carroll and Lindsay McClure-Hartman.