PANAMA CITY,FLORIDA - Elizabeth Helen Shanks, 29, of Panama City, was sentenced yesterday to 36 months in federal prison for bank fraud, uttering forged securities, and aggravated identity theft.

While employed as a secretary for C-Miles Construction company in Panama City, Shanks forged more than 200 company checks totaling $119,880.30, and then issued them to herself, between July 17, 2006, and November 1, 2010,

In addition to her term of imprisonment, Shanks was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak to serve five years on supervised release upon her release from prison and to make full restitution to her former employer.

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Pamela C. Marsh, praised the work of the United States Secret Service and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office whose joint investigation led to the conviction in the case. “Crimes motivated by greed and deception are a drain on our economy. This case demonstrates that we can and will make every effort to follow the money, and prosecute those responsible for all losses to victims.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.

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