American Fork woman, 27, who defrauded bank out of $100,000 doesn’t get prison time
An American Fork woman who admitted to stealing over $100,000 from a financial institution is walking free. She was sentenced to five years of probation and will have to repay the $100,272.32 she took from the bank.
A federal judge Thursday sentenced 27-year-old Season Heather Hymas on her conviction for misdemeanor theft from Wells Fargo Bank.
In an extraordinary case, Ms. Hymas is now the 11th Hymas family member or associate to be sentenced as part of a mortgage fraud investigation targeting fraudulent activities in the Boise area. Her husband, Travis Hymas, was convicted last year of five counts of wire fraud and sentenced to 24 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay $241,307.04 in restitution. Two other family members, Aaron and Tiffany Hymas, are awaiting sentencing.
In a plea agreement, American Fork resident Season Heather Hymas admitted to getting a home loan based on false statements on her application, including misleading bankers about her employment, income and savings.
The Hymases’ case is part of a multiyear FBI and IRS investigation of mortgage fraud activity related to Crestwood Homes, which involved multiple defendants who bought and sold real estate in Idaho in order to “flip” it, or gain profits from the sales.
Aaron Hymas was co-owner of the now defunct Crestwood. His business partner, Justin Walker, died in an airplane crash in 2009. Aaron and his wife, Tiffany, have each pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for making false statements on a $295,600 residential loan application. The charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to three years supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. Their sentencing, slated for last month, has been postponed to an undetermined date.
Nine other Hymas family members or associates have been sentenced in related federal cases, including Michael J. Hymas, Shauntee K. Ferguson, Christopher R. Georgeson, Stanley J. Ferguson, Brent Bethers, Shane Merlin Hymas, Laurie Krechelle Hymas, Melody Covino Redondo and Paul Redondo.
Danny Crivello can be reached at crivello@citizen.af, via cell at 801-477-6397 or on Twitter.