They loved fast cars, so they defrauded a bank to get cash. Now they’re off to prison

Two thieves with a passion for fast cars will be taking a slow bus to prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Monday.

Brandi Marshall, 41, and Daniel Barrios Jr., 37, of Fresno pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and conspiracy to launder money while embezzling $1 million from a Fresno business.

Marshall was the bookkeeper at the firm, which the U.S. attorney did not identify. From October 2014 to March 2016, her job was to deposit checks from customers paying their bills – but she did not put the money where it was supposed to go. Instead, she and Barrios deposited more than 100 checks into Barrios’ personal bank account.

They used the money to buy and “trick out” a 2016 Ford Mustang GT for $35,000, and a 2012 Dodge Challenger for $25,000, authorities said.

Marshall tried to cover her tracks by putting fake entries into the company’s computer system, but she got caught and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.

Both are now in jail. Marshall will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on March 12; Barrios will be sentenced the next day. They face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud, and 10 years and a $250,000 fine for money laundering.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 1:19 PM with the headline "They loved fast cars, so they defrauded a bank to get cash. Now they’re off to prison."