TOPEKA – The former branch manager of a bank in Manhattan, Kan., was sentenced Wednesday to 27 months in federal prison for embezzlement, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

In addition, she was ordered to pay $277,000 in restitution.

Melissa Vinsonhaler, 34, Manhattan, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a bank. In her plea, she admitted the crime occurred while she was branch manager of Kansas State Bank on East Highway 24 in Manhattan, She embezzled $277,000 from the bank and made false entries in the bank’s ledger to cover up the crime.

Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Hathaway for their work on the case.