April Louise Sechrist

KOSCIUSKO — A North Webster woman was arrested after using false personal information to obtain fraudulent loans.

April Louise Sechrist, 45, 206 E. North St., North Webster, is being charged with identity deception, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 4, officers received a phone call in reference to a fraud at Via Credit Union.

On April 5, officers met with a Via Credit Union employee. The financial institution conducted an audit and could not locate four active loan files. The employee stated that the loans were in the name of Angela Steiner.

The social security number used belonged to a deceased male, and a non-existent address and false employment information were provided.

Sechrist is a former employee of the bank, who left her position on Feb. 26, 2016. The employee advised that upon comparing Sechrist’s account deposits and Steiner’s loan withdrawals, the dates corresponded.

The bank has a loss on the four loans totaling $39,205.27. The loans were created and used between Oct. 5, 2009 and Jan. 1, 2017.

Sechrist admitted that she used false information to obtain fraudulent loans. The social security number belonged to a male who passed away in 1996.

Sechrist was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on May 16, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.