A Woodford County woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $500,000 from her Lexington employer.
Nicole Nesland, 45, of Minonk, was arrested April 1. She pleaded not guilty to two class 1 felony theft charges, court filings confirmed.
Minonk is located about 30 miles northwest of Lexington, a city of about 2,000 residents in northeastern McLean County.
An investigation began in May 2024 after Lexington Police learned of alleged embezzlement from a local business by an employee. A news release said police worked closely with the McLean County state's attorney's office to conduct the investigation.
State's Attorney Erika Reynolds did not respond to a request for comment.
Nesland faces one count of theft between $100,000 and $500,000 and one count of theft between $500,000 and $1 million. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison for each charge.
Authorities have not released the name of the business.
Lexington Police Chief Tim Edmiaston said the alleged theft took place between 2019 and 2024. He confirmed Nesland was fired from her position in May 2024, when the employer reported the theft to police.
The McLean County circuit clerk's office confirmed Nesland was granted conditional release while awaiting trial. She's instructed to avoid all contact with Lexington Truck and Trailer and its owners.
Lexington Truck and Trailer specializes in diesel repair, welding, mechanical work and body damage for commercial trailers and straight trucks. A voicemail greeting indicated the company does not monitor phone messages.
Nesland's next court date is April 30, before Judge Don Knapp.
