KECHI AUTO DEALER SENTENCED IN $386,000 BANK FRAUD

WICHITA, KAN. - Marten E. Guthrie, 43, Bel Aire, Kan., was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren announced Tuesday.

In March, Guthrie pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In his plea, he admitted he fraudulently obtained $386,425 in loans from Security State Bank in Wellington, Kan. Beginning in January 2005 and continuing through April 2006, Guthrie borrowed money for his business, Guthrie's Wholesale Auto, by submitting fabricated invoices to the bank.

The court ordered Guthrie to pay $386,425 in restitution.

Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.