Former Escrow Officer Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Cameron, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank fraud.

Tracy L. Kellerstrass, 51, former escrow officer for Cameron Title Company, waived her right to grand jury indictment and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to an information charging her with one count of bank fraud.

According to court documents, Kellerstrass was employed by Cameron Title Company from 2018 to February 2024. In her capacity as an escrow officer, Kellerstrass had access to Cameron Title's bank accounts and ledgers and was only authorized to use the accounts for business purposes. However, as part of a scheme and artifice to defraud, Kellerstrass forged the signature of another employee on company checks and presented them for payment.

By pleading guilty today Kellerstrass admitted that she presented forged checks drawn on Cameron Title's bank account and deposited them into her personal account.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kellerstrass will be subject to a forfeiture money judgment and restitution in the amount of $460,415.84.

Under federal statutes, Kellerstrass is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole on the bank fraud charge to which she has pleaded guilty. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 22, 2026.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Brown and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.