Kelly Ference, a 39-year-old McHenry woman, is once again facing serious criminal charges after being accused of stealing more than $200,000 from a Woodstock business where she was employed. According to jail and court records, Ference has been charged with multiple felonies, including:
- Identity theft of more than $100,000 (a Class X felony)
- Unauthorized control of between $100,000 and $500,000
- Forgery
- Deceptive practices
Current Legal Proceedings
During her initial court appearance before Judge Carl Metz, Ference was released from jail on a pretrial basis. The judge imposed basic conditions on her release, including a restriction against leaving the state without court permission. Ference reported being unemployed, though her LinkedIn profile previously listed her as a billing and credit specialist at the company in question.
Allegations of Theft
Emily Baker, a communications specialist with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, detailed the allegations against Ference. She is accused of stealing $280,000 from American Ad Bag, a Woodstock-based business, by depositing company checks into her personal account.
Previous Criminal History
This is not Ference’s first encounter with criminal charges involving financial misconduct. In 2018, she pleaded guilty to felony theft of $66,657 from the nonprofit McHenry Baseball Association, where she had served as treasurer. For that offense, she was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay restitution.
Earlier Investigation
The previous investigation into the McHenry Baseball Association theft began when league members reported that a significant amount of money had not been paid to vendors in 2016 and 2017. Investigators discovered that Ference had cashed 77 checks between July 18, 2016, and July 27, 2017.
Prior Convictions
Before these incidents, Ference had a history of criminal convictions dating back to 2007 in Cook County. These prior convictions included theft, misuse of a credit card, and forgery.
Legal Consequences
If convicted of the current Class X felony, Ference could face up to 30 years in prison. Her next court date has been set for December 31, with an attorney from the public defender’s office assigned to her case.
The investigation is ongoing, and American Ad Bag has not yet publicly commented on the allegations.
