Woman Faces Felony Charge After Refusing to Return $19,000 Payroll Overpayment

Jonesboro, Arkansas — A 50-year-old Arkansas woman is facing felony theft charges after police say she refused to return nearly $20,000 that was mistakenly deposited into her account due to a payroll error.

According to investigators in Jonesboro, the woman—identified in court records as Rene Nichole Coleman—was a former employee of a local business where she typically earned about $16.50 per hour. However, due to a payroll system malfunction on May 10, 2025, her wage was incorrectly calculated at $1,650 per hour for a 12-hour shift.

The error resulted in an overpayment of approximately $19,388, far exceeding her normal pay.

Payroll mistake leads to dispute

Company officials reportedly discovered the mistake shortly after the payment was issued and contacted Coleman to request the return of the funds. Investigators say she refused to return the money, prompting the employer to escalate the issue to law enforcement.

A police affidavit states that the company provided financial records and email correspondence documenting the payroll error and subsequent attempts to recover the funds.

When contacted by detectives, Coleman initially agreed to speak with investigators but later failed to appear for questioning, according to police.

Arrest and charges

Following the failed interview, authorities issued a warrant for her arrest. Coleman was later taken into custody and charged with theft of property greater than $5,000 but less than $25,000, a Class C felony under Arkansas law.

She was booked and later released on a $15,000 bond, and is scheduled for arraignment in May 2026.

If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison and fines.

Legal questions remain

The case has drawn attention due to the unusual nature of the error and the legal question it raises: whether funds accidentally paid to an employee must be returned, and at what point refusal becomes criminal liability.

Authorities emphasize that payroll mistakes, even large ones, must be returned when properly documented.

Video Credit: KAIT | K8 News | Jonesboro, Arkansas