Forgery, theft charges total over $150,000

Lola Vialpando, 34, is currently charged with 13 counts related to forgery and thefts that resulted in a $157,593.24 loss. According to court documents, Vialpando faces 10 counts of felony forgery, one count of felony larceny and two counts of felony theft.

Affidavits of probable cause allege that, during Vialpando’s employment with Smith Oil Field Services, Inc., between Jan. 1 and Aug. 1 she issued 10 checks drawn upon an account belonging to the company in the total amount of $14,056. She signed each with the name of Kevin Smith, the authorized account holder and signer.

It is further alleged that Vialpando listed each check be paid to the order of “Cash,” endorsed the back of eight checks with Smith’s name and provided secondary endorsement of each in her signature and name. In return, she received payment for nine of the 10 checks for a total $12,556. As for the 10th check, which was in the amount of $1,500, Vialpando presented it to the bank on Aug. 8 for payment, along with a deposit slip for her and her husband’s personal checking account. At this time, the bank was aware of her previous actions and took the check and slip without authorizing the actual transfer of funds to the account.

Check issuance dates, as well as the amounts, are: Jan. 4, $1,575; Jan. 18, $2,276; April 11, $850; April 25, $950; May 2, $2,150; May 9, $1,105; June 6, $1,150; June 21, $1,000; July 19, $1,500; and Aug. 1, $1,500. However, the final check was the one not authorized.

With regard to the larceny charge, while Vialpando was employed with Smith Oil Field Services, allegedly between Dec. 13, 2010 and July 21, 2016 she facilitated online and mobile transfers of money from the company and directed those funds be paid to satisfy personal debts she and her husband had with personal credit cards and a cell phone account.

Court documents state from Dec. 13, 2010 to June 28, 2013 there were 87 such transfers in the amount of $40,639.21. From July 1, 2013 to July 21, 2016 there were 115 transfers in the amount of $96,396.64.

Documents further state Vialpando was employed at Smith Oil Field Services as the office manager, was responsible for accounts payable and receivable and had access to the company checking account. From July 27, 2015 to June 27, 2016, in her capacity as office manger she had access and use of a credit card issued to the company, and that card was used to pay child support owed by her husband to another party. There was a total 11 payments from the card, with a total $6,501.39. Vialpando also admitted to several other personal purchases — using the card — for her use.

Vialpando is jailed on a $50,000 bond. She agreed to cooperate with law enforcement, to give them passwords to accounts. During the preliminary hearing Monday, Vialpando’s attorney Travis Smith requested a bond reduction to $10,000, as well as stipulations she be allowed to go to Billings, Mont. for medical appointments for a child and to Cody to meet with Smith and prep. Smith said Vialpando is not a flight risk, as she has strong ties to the community. He also noted she did not resist arrest and did not run when first confronted about discrepancies with the Smith Oil accounts.

County Attorney Jerry Williams said he is not aware of any violent offenses on Vialpando’s record, but is concerned about her still having access to accounts in question. It was further noted during the hearing that Vialpando has not provided answers to security questions, in order to allow law enforcement access to accounts.

Judge Ron Jurovich said he would take the matter under advisement and give serious consideration to the bond reduction request. However, Jurovich said the case would be bound over to District Court.