Phelps County Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Assisted Living Center

St. Louis, MO – Denise Rea Barner appeared today before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sipple and entered a plea of guilty to fraudulently using her employer’s debit card for personal gain.

According to court documents, from July 1991 to February 25, 2016, Barner was an employee of the Robert L. Kyle Center Home for Semi-Independent Living Inc. She was named as a “Director” of the Kyle Center in about November of 2004 and her duties included general accounting.

Beginning in about November 2007 and ending in February 2016, Barner falsely and fraudulently used the Kyle Center debit cards to make unauthorized personal purchases and ATM withdrawals. The Kyle Center sustained a loss of between $95,000.00 and $150,000.00.

Barner, 54, Rolla, Missouri, pled guilty to one count of access device fraud. Sentencing has been set for October 20, 2017.

Access device fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00 or both. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Rolla Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.