FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. –A Fayette County woman pleaded guilty Thursday to fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, features, and information.
According to court documents, Crystal Renee Severson, 45, of Gauley Bridge worked at the West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists from March 2016 to March 2022, where she was responsible for receiving applications and application fees from individuals who wanted to become licensed as nail technicians.
She admitted Thursday to fraudulently depositing money order submitted by licensure applicants between August 2019 and November 2021. In one instance on January 10, 2022, Severson admitted to altering a $100 money order that was submitted by an applicant. She removed the payee’s name and address and instead replaced the information with the name and address of her mother and deposited the money in her own bank account.
She also admitted to doing this 19 other times during that time frame.
Severson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 6. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. She will also owe at least $1,855 in restitution.