Crime & Safety

High Ridge Woman Charged With Embezzlement from Fenton Company

Indictment alleges as much as $225,000 was stolen from Micro Engineering, of Fenton.

The United States Attorney’s office announced Thursday that Jessica L. Harris, of High Ridge, was indicted on mail fraud charges alleging she stole money from , Inc., 1120 Eagle Rd., Fenton.

Harris, 30, was indicted on five counts of mail fraud and surrendered on the charges Thursday.  

Micro Engineering is a family-owned business that manufactures model railroad products and sells them to hobby shops throughout the country. Harris was the longtime office and business manager for the company. 

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The indictment alleges Harris stole approximately $225,000 from the business throughout a six-year period by causing a series of checks to be written to her and to third parties for her benefit. 

The indictment specifically cites company checks paid on her credit card at U.S. Bank. The indictment also alleges Harris covered up the embezzlement by making false entries in the company’s records.

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If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In sentencing, the judge is required to take into account the U.S. sentencing guidelines, which provide sentencing ranges.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. 

Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy McMurtry handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.                                


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