Former banker's plea deal delayed until sentencing day

A local bank branch manager has had his federal plea deal deferred until the day he will be sentenced, according to federal documents.

A report and recommendation filed last week by Magistrate Judge Susan K. Lee in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Chattanooga suggested that a decision on whether to accept the plea agreement of Ronald Frank Bell of Shelbyville "be deferred until sentencing."

An order signed by United States District Judge Harry S. Mattice on Thursday accepted Bell's plea of guilty and the decision on accepting the plea has been deferred until Jan. 21 -- the day of Bell's sentencing.

Bell pleaded guilty in federal court in Chattanooga in October to a charge of making a false entry in bank records while he was employed at Regions Bank in Shelbyville.

He waived indictment and arraignment, admitting to making a false entry in bank records in violation of Title 18 United States Code Section 1005.

The plea agreement stated that Bell was the loan officer for Regions Bank in Shelbyville and that he made a $3 million dollar loan to Charles Coffey on May 15, 2005.

On or about June 2, 2006, the loan was up for renewal and according to federal documents, "Knowing he did not have Coffey's permission, the defendant (Bell) directed a subordinate to prepare a loan extension agreement and directed her to sign Coffey's name."

Bell thereby intended to deceive the bank, the plea agreement reads.

The maximum penalty for the offense is a fine of $1 million and 30 years imprisonment, according to the federal plea agreement.

The charge against Bell stems from a joint investigation by Detective Brian Farris of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department and FBI Special Agent Richard Poff.

The plea agreement also states that Bell agrees to consent to an order of "Prohibition From Further Participation" with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), meaning that he will not be employed again in the banking industry.

If Bell violates the terms of the plea agreement, or violates any court order, local, state or federal law pending the resolution of the case, federal prosecutors will have the right to void any or all parts of the agreement and may prosecute Bell "for any and all federal crimes that the defendant committed related to this case, including any charges that were dismissed."