DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A former bank employee in Buffalo Center has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after pleading guilty to federal embezzlement charges.

Sara Vriesen, 54, of Champlin, Minn., acknowledged she embezzled about $174,000 while working at Farmer's Trust Savings Bank. Vriesen acknowledged using her children's bank accounts to funnel the funds into her own account.

Vriesen plead guilty earlier this year to one count of misapplication and embezzlement of bank funds and one count of money laundering.

Vriesen has also been ordered to pay $183,000 in restitution.