FALLS CITY - Natalie Gooch, 34, of Falls City was sentenced to 30 months probation and 90 days in jail for a check writing scheme that defrauded a bank out of $5,785.

Prosecutors say Gooch purported to transfer funds from one account into a new account and then immediately withdrew the funds. The bank learned the first account had been closed.

Judge Julie Smith noted past convictions regarding checks and said a 90-day jail sentenced was needed to convince Gooch to change her behavior.

She said fines and restitution has been imposed on Gooch on the past, but it did not prevent the current offense.

Smith said she would sentence Gooch to probation so she can pay restitution and take care of her young children, but said “the penalty needs to be more serious, so you don’t keep doing this over and over.”

The judge allowed Gooch to turn herself in on July 15.