Alleged Cheyenne Church Embezzler Extradited Back From Alaska

A woman who was arrested boarding a cruise ship in Ketchikan, Alaska last month after allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from a Cheyenne church has been extradited back to Laramie County to stand trial.

RELATED: Alleged Cheyenne Embezzler Arrested Boarding Cruise Ship in Alaska

According to a booking sheet, 64-year-old Fernley, Nevada resident Karen Elizabeth Bryan, also known as Karen Elizabeth Driver, was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, on a warrant for felony theft, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

Laramie County Circuit Court Judge Sean C. Chambers signed the warrant on Nov. 6, 2024.

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It's alleged that on or between Sept. 10, 2024, through Oct. 11, 2024, Bryan stole more than $1,000 from First Christian Church.

On Wednesday, July 2, Bryan was seen in Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on the charge.

$10K Signature Bond

Bryan's preliminary hearing was scheduled for Friday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m. and she was given a $10,000 signature bond, something the state agreed to after receiving information that the church had gotten its money back and that Bryan had hired attorney Robert Moxley, giving the state "some assurance that she will appear for court proceedings."

"I've been in contact with the DA's Office about this case since February," Moxley told the court. "I actually arranged for the First Christian Church to bring a spreadsheet to the DA's Office showing that they had not suffered any permanent loss of funds."

"Her husband is a retired California highway patrolman, very responsible person, and they're very committed to resolving this whole thing," Moxley added. "I would ask that she be allowed to return home, waive speedy prelim, and get it scheduled."

The state had no objections to Moxley's request, so Williams allowed it.

Please remember that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.