The Aberdeen woman arrested for stealing more than $350,000 from the Woodworker’s Federal Credit Union pleaded guilty Monday to five counts of first degree theft.

On March 29, 2016, Aberdeen Police officers were called to the credit union’s building at 2600 Sumner Ave. for a report of a suspicious fire. As it turned out, credit union manager Krista S. Putnam, 38, had started the fire to conceal evidence of her crime from federal investigators who were standing outside at the time.

“We did not pursue the arson charge, and in exchange she pleaded guilty to five felony counts in the first degree,” said Grays Harbor County Prosecutor Katie Svoboda. “She also agreed to restitution requests from all three victims.”

An audit revealed Putnam had stolen more than $350,000 from the credit union. Later, according to Aberdeen Police Lt. Kevin Darst, another Hoquiam business came forward and reported Putnam had stolen around $11,000 when she worked for it.

Svoboda said the three victims in the case included the credit union for the $4,000 deductible they needed to recover the money through their insurance company, the insurance company itself, and the second Hoquiam business.

When asked what kind of time Putnam was facing at her upcoming sentencing hearing, Svoboda replied, “Not as much as one would think. She is facing a year and a day to 14 months.”