After several years of embezzling from the $60 million WesTexFederal Credit Union in Lubbock, Texas, the long arm of the lawfinally caught up with Armelinda “Irma” Castillo.

The former assistant accountant, who pleaded guilty in December2012 to embezzling an estimated $500,000 from 2009 to 2012, wassentenced in September to 37 months in federal prison and orderedto pay restitution of $690,000, according to court documents.

Castillo, who was 27 when sentenced, will also undergo fiveyears of supervision after serving time in jail.

In addition, she is prohibited by the NCUA from everparticipating in any affairs at federally insured financialinstitutions. If she violates that condition, she'd wind up backbehind bars, the agency said.

Castillo is among 53 former credit union employees banned by theNCUA in 2013.

Last month, the agency added a new search feature for administrativeactions. Users can now search prohibition and administrative ordersby name, institution, city, state and year. There are also links tothe enforcement actions of other federal regulators.

The change was implemented to enable users to find NCUAadministrative actions more quickly and easily, the agencysaid.

Some of those banned in 2013 had contributed to the downfall ofcredit unions in previous years and received sentences that mayseem like a slap on the hand.

For example, the NCUA banned Nkajlo Vangh, a former director,and True Yang Vangh, a former employee, for their role in thefailure of the $2.5 American Federal Credit Union in St. Paul,Minn., which was liquidated in May 2011. Bothconsented to the issuance of a prohibition order to avoid the time,cost and expense of administrative litigation.

Yolanda O'Keefe, a former employee of the $21 millionConnecticut Community Credit Union in Pawcatuck, Conn., was alsobanned.

Her punishment?

After being charged with larceny, she was ordered to attend andcomplete a Gamblers Anonymous program, stay away from the creditunion's premises and complete 50 hours of community service, theNCUA said.

O'Keefe, who is also prohibited from all casinos, entered into apretrial rehabilitation program, the agency said.

Just like Castillo, she faces stiff penalties if she slips upagain.

Violating a prohibition order is considered a felony offensethat results in jail time and a fine of up to $1 million.