A former secretary for the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show (NCJLS) in Texas has copped to stealing nearly $200,000 from the organization over a five-year span, federal authorities said. Sara Rene Chapman, 67, of Sandia, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud after an FBI investigation revealed her brazen swindle that left the group she worked for more than a decade out to dry. Chapman admitted to starting her scheme in 2018 and persistently abusing the trust placed in her until 2023, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani's office.

Tapped with the responsibility of managing NCJLS bank accounts and paying the nonprofit's bills, Chapman instead began funnelling the group's funds to pay her own personal credit card bills through wire transfers, the authorities revealed. As reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chapman’s illicit activities came with a hefty price tag—a staggering $172,069.17 was lost to her coffers.

The embezzlement did not stop until Sara was caught by the authorities, who conducted an in-depth investigation into the financial irregularities at NCJLS. Chapman now stares down the barrel of a heavy legal punishment for her actions. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has scheduled Chapman's sentencing for July 23, where she could face up to 20 years in federal prison, not to mention a possible $250,000 fine and the obligation of paying full restitution to the NCJLS.

Chapman has been allowed to remain on bond while she awaits her sentencing. Prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin.