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Onslow County woman sentenced to 7-to-10 years in prison for embezzlement

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published March 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM EST
Onslow County Sheriff's Office

An Onslow County woman has been sentenced to 7-to-10 years in prison after a guilty plea to embezzling more than $2 million from several local businesses.

Officials with the North Carolina SBI’s Financial Crimes Unit said Karen Ramos was also ordered to repay the victims.

Ramos was arrested in November 2022. She was the bookkeeper and finance manager for six different businesses: New Century Homes of Jacksonville, Carolina South Builders, Clayhill Farms, Green Recycling Solutions, Carolina East Properties, and M&M Land Development.

Prosecutors said Ramos stole more than $2 million from the businesses between 2011 and 2018.

Ramos admitted to taking the funds using several company credit cards for personal purchases. She also diverted company funds to a personal bank account.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
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