Trust Bank Employee Sentenced for Fraud and Attempted Deception
A former employee of Trust Bank has been sentenced to federal prison after committing fraud that involved stealing from numerous bank customers and attempting to fake her own death once caught.
Asher Dior Martin, who was employed at Trust Bank from 2022 until 2024, will spend 24 months behind bars. She pleaded guilty to pilfering $195,000 from 70 accounts that included individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit groups.
At 35 years old and hailing from South Chesterfield, Martin worked as a “collector” for demand deposit accounts. This role granted her access to sensitive information from account holders, which she exploited to execute fraudulent withdrawals. To mask her activities, she funneled the money to herself using a child support payment processor that transferred funds to a prepaid debit card. Her expenditures included cosmetics, clothing, travel, food, and outings at hookah bars.
Martin admitted to the fraudulent activities spanning from July 2023 to at least April 2024. Prosecutors revealed that she specifically targeted customer accounts with significant monthly inflows and outflows. Her victims included churches, a children’s museum, an eye tissue bank, and various manufacturing and construction firms.
According to court documents, when confronted by Trust Bank management in early February 2024, Martin “left for lunch and never returned.” Following her absence, the bank restricted her remote access to internal systems, and she was formally terminated on April 15 of that year. Upon attempts to retrieve her company-issued computer, Martin allegedly tried to deceive the bank by suggesting she had passed away. Evidence revealed that a response was sent to the bank’s inquiry stating, “We regret to inform you that she has passed away.”
Federal authorities indicted Martin in June, leading her to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud.
Initially, she was released on bail while awaiting sentencing but was arrested in August in St. Petersburg for making threats on social media to a relative. Although the victim later retracted the charges, this arrest violated her bond terms, resulting in her return to detention under the U.S. Marshals in late August.
Since then, she has been in custody at Piedmont Regional Jail, as indicated by the bright pink jumpsuit she wore during her sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Roderick Young.
Martin was represented by federal public defender Carolyn Grady. Many family members, including her mother, fiancé, and young son, were present in court, some even blowing kisses to her as she arrived.
Her attorneys recommended a sentence of home confinement or, at most, 18 months in prison. On the other hand, prosecutors sought a more stringent sentence of 33 months, emphasizing that Martin’s fraud was calculated and repetitive. They noted that the only real remorse she displayed emerged when she was apprehended by law enforcement.
“Greed… that was the motive for this attack,” stated prosecutor Abi Panth during the hearing.
Court records documented that Trust Bank has reimbursed the affected customers. By the time of the hearing, the bank had recovered all but $12,000 related to Martin’s scheme. Trust Bank expressed their cooperation with authorities throughout the investigation, emphasizing their care for the affected customers.
Judge Young ultimately decided on a 24-month sentence, acknowledging Martin’s lack of prior convictions and the necessity to serve as a lesson to her while deterring others from similar actions.
Sentencing letters presented Martin as a dedicated mother and community member, with her describing the theft as occurring during a profoundly desperate time in her life. She expressed remorse in court, apologizing to Judge Young, her family, and especially her children.
Judge Young concluded the hearing with the hope that the repercussions of Martin’s actions would impart a lasting lesson, stating, “You either get it, or you don’t. Looks like you’re about to get it.”
