Nicole Hilstolsky, a 48-year-old resident of Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on Mar. 17 to eight months in prison and two years of supervised release for stealing cash from the now-defunct WOD Federal Credit Union. The sentencing was handed down by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani after Hilstolsky pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of theft by a credit union employee.
The case is significant as it involves both financial misconduct and an attempt to mislead law enforcement. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Hilstolsky admitted that on October 15, 2018, while working at the credit union, she stole $16,247 from the teller drawer and safe. She then falsely reported that two unidentified armed robbers had committed the crime.
Hilstolsky called 911 and lied to investigators who responded to the scene, claiming that WOD Federal Credit Union had been robbed when she herself had taken the money. She hid the stolen funds inside the credit union until she could remove them days later.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Forty Fort Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address financial crimes involving institutions entrusted with public funds.
