(Pottawattamie Co) Staci Lee Ploen, a resident of Dexter, Iowa, and formerly of Pottawattamie County, pled guilty and was sentenced for Theft 1st Degree and Tampering with Records.
The Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office says the case began in August of 2021, when the Sorensons, owners of Avoca Repair & Towing, discovered information leading to a suspicion that Staci Ploen, their bookkeeper, had embezzled from the business. After gathering some information and hiring an investigation firm, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate. A review of the information led to an interview of Ploen and her arrest. The activity spanned several years and resulted in loss of several hundred thousand dollars. A Search and Seizure Warrant was conducted where financial records and funds were seized pending the outcome of the case.
Staci Ploen received a Deferred Judgment for Theft 1st Degree, where she was placed on formal supervised probation for two years. She also received a 30-day county jail sentence for Tampering With Records. Just over $200,000 in seized funds were turned over to the victim business with Ploen also paying $100,000 at sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Kerrie L. Snyder, Assistant Pottawattamie County Attorney. Matt Wilber is the County Attorney, who has served in office since 2002.
