MT. VERNON, IL — A 60-year-old former Jefferson County school administrator convicted of embezzlement has reportedly been placed on a work release program less than four years into her 15 year prison sentence. According to an online notification system, Sabrina Wheatley was placed on the work release program Wednesday.

In 2018, a Jefferson County jury found Wheatley guilty on all counts of stealing more than $300,000 from Webber Township School District in Bluford. Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office prosecuted Wheatley on the charges of Class X felony theft of government property in excess of $100,000, Class 3 felony official misconduct and two Class 4 felony counts of filing fraudulent tax returns.

Jefferson County Judge Jerry Crisel commented post-sentencing, that if prosecutors had asked for a 30 year prison sentence, he would have granted it.