A Jonesboro woman has been ordered to pay back more than $19,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to theft in connection with an accidental payroll overpayment from her former employer.
Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Scott Ellington sentenced Rene Coleman, 50, to three years of probation and required her to repay $19,602. She also faces $925 in court costs, fees, and fines following Wednesday’s court proceedings, where she entered a negotiated guilty plea to theft of property, a Class C felony.
The case began on May 10, 2025, when an error in her employer’s payroll system resulted in Coleman, who was normally paid $16.50 an hour, being paid $1,650 an hour for a 12-hour shift. The overpayment totaled $19,388, according to court documents.
The employer, CEO of a Jonesboro-based business, reported the overpayment to police on August 12, 2025, saying Coleman declined to return the funds despite being notified of the mistake. According to an affidavit, the employer provided police with documentation, including financial records and email communications, to support her claim.
Police attempted to contact Coleman, who initially agreed to meet with investigators but later failed to appear. A warrant for her arrest was subsequently issued.
Months later, on April 6, 2026, Jonesboro police were notified that Coleman had been taken into custody on the warrant.
In addition to the restitution and probation terms, Coleman’s sentencing order includes conditions for paying court costs and fees. Theft of property involving amounts such as these is categorized under Arkansas law as a felony offense carrying significant penalties.
The resolution of this case underscores the seriousness of addressing financial disputes through legal channels when errors occur.