KC Reporter

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man, Ray Leonard Marple, 61, has pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling more than $400,000 from a trust fund under his control.

According to court documents, Marple admitted that he embezzled approximately $432,981 from a revocable trust account over a period of almost six years. The embezzlement took place following the death of the grantor.

Marple confessed to stealing at least $415,481 from the trust account and using the funds for personal purposes, including the purchase of his residential property in Springfield.

Furthermore, Marple acknowledged that he failed to report nearly $177,000 in taxable income on federal tax returns from 2018 to 2020. As a result, he now owes $59,622 in federal income taxes.

As part of the plea agreement, Marple is required to pay restitution totaling up to $415,481 to the trust and at least $59,622 to the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, he must forfeit a money judgment of $415,481 and his residential property in Springfield to the government.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

Marple faces a maximum sentence of up to 23 years in federal prison without parole. The sentencing hearing will be scheduled following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.