ROGERS CITY–A former Presque Isle County employee, charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from county residents, appeared in court Friday morning.

Shilo Ferguson, 33, who in May was terminated as the county’s public guardian, was arraigned in the 89th District Court in Rogers City on Friday before Judge Maria Barton.

Ferguson is accused of taking funds for personal use from three people whom she represented the public guardian, as well as from an estate for which she was a personal representative, according to the Presque Isle County Prosecutor’s Office.

She is charged with embezzlement of $50,000 to $100,000, a 15-year felony, $20,000 to $50,000, a 10-year felony, and $1,000 to $20,000, a five-year felony.

Sentences based on the charges may be served consecutively, if the crimes were committed against a person 60 years old or older, or against a vulnerable adult, Barton said.

Ferguson was suspended from her duties on May 1 after county officials discovered evidence of possible financial mismanagement. After further investigation, she was terminated on May 24 by Presque Isle County Probate Judge Erik Stone.

The position of public guardian, which oversees the coordination of legal, medical, financial, social, and psychiatric services for elderly or disabled people who may not have family to help with their care, was moved from a “home-based position” to an “in-house position,” requiring the public guardian to work at the courthouse, Stone told The News in June.

After the transition, courthouse staff noticed irregularities, prompting an investigation that led to Ferguson’s termination and eventual arrest.

The investigation is ongoing, in case other alleged victims arise, the prosecutor’s office said.

Ferguson was arrested Thursday and is lodged in the Presque Isle County Jail.

Speaking for the defendant, attorney Mike Vogler requested Ferguson be released on her own recognizance, pointing out that she has been under investigation for at least four months and, he said, is not a flight risk.

Barton assessed a $10,000 cash or surety bond. Ferguson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.