A former escrow officer from Cameron, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court on March 24 to one count of bank fraud.
Tracy Kellerstrass, 51, waived her right to a grand jury indictment and pleaded guilty to the charge before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips. She now faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
According to court documents, Kellerstrass was employed by Cameron Title Company from 2018 to February 2024. In her capacity as an escrow officer, Kellerstrass had access to Cameron Title’s bank accounts and ledgers and was only authorized to use the accounts for business purposes. However, as part of a scheme and artifice to defraud, Kellerstrass forged the signature of another employee on company checks and presented them for payment.
By pleading guilty, Kellerstrass admitted that she presented forged checks drawn on Cameron Title’s bank account and deposited them into her personal account. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kellerstrass will be subject to a forfeiture money judgment and restitution in the amount of $460,415.84.
Kellerstrass is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole on the bank fraud charge to which she has pleaded guilty. However, final sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 22.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Brown and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.