WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kenneth Werkau, of Clarington, Ohio, has admitted to a wire fraud charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Werkau, 63, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Wire Fraud.” Werkau was employed as an associate at Walmart in Moundsville. Beginning in September 2019 and ending in January 2020, Werkau stole $123,775 in gift cards and activating them without paying for them.

Werkau faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dane DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.