Adoption fraud victimizing Shawnee couple leads to federal prison

A Texas woman who took more than $20,000 from a Shawnee couple in an adoption fraud scam was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison.

Chrystal Marie Rippey lied to the couple about being pregnant with twins that she wanted to put up for adoption, according to federal prosecutors.

The couple transferred $22,225 to an account to provide living expenses to Rippey, according to prosecutors.

Rippey, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to two counts of wire fraud.

Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar.com