Former Co-Op Manager and Church Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Stealing Thousands

Wayne City resident Bruce L. Johnson, the former Manager of Finance and Office Services for Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative and Treasurer of the Wayne City First Christian Church, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to a four-count information charging him with defrauding both organizations.

The information to which the 50-year-old Johnson pled guilty alleged that between 2007 and 2013, he used his positions with both organizations to steal over $350,000 in Cooperative and Church funds. Throughout that time period Johnson regularly used the United States mail to send unauthorized, and in many cases forged, checks drawn on the organizations’ respective bank accounts to his personal creditors and others. Sentencing is set for August 27, at 10:00 a.m., at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. At that time, on each count, Johnson faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow any term of incarceration imposed. Johnson will also be required to make full restitution to his victims. Johnson will remain on bond pending sentencing.

The investigation leading to the charges and guilty plea was a cooperative effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fairfield Police Department, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.