The former branch manager of the Cave Spring post office was placed on probation Monday for embezzlement.

Valerie H. Crouse, 58, pleaded guilty earlier this year to taking about $1,200 in funds under her control, including checks from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. for a soda machine maintained on the premises.

Although Crouse had faced prison time, federal prosecutors did not object to defense attorney Melvin Hill's request for probation in the case. As part of an agreement reached in September, prosecutors dropped six charges of mail fraud in exchange for her guilty pleas to embezzlement of federal funds.

Crouse has since repaid the money she took.

In imposing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Glen Conrad said it was "somewhat worrisome" that Crouse embezzled on multiple occasions, instead of in a single act. But he also cited her long career with the U.S. Postal Service.

-- Laurence Hammack