North Texas woman who stole $1.2 million and spent most of it on TikTok coins sentenced to prison

A Tarrant County woman was sentenced to prison Tuesday after authorities said she stole $1.2 million from her employer over the course of two years.

Staci Lynne Blackmon, 39, was charged in February 2023 following an investigation by Southlake Police. According to a social media post from the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, Blackmon pleaded guilty to two counts of theft over $300,000, a first-degree felony, and received a sentence of 35 years in prison for each count.

From May 2020 to June 2022, Blackmon stole $1.2 million from an account belonging to her former employer and the company's bank account, the post and indictment say. According to court documents, Blackmon stole the money from SCH Homes, a luxury homebuilder based in Southlake.

Authorities said Blackmon spent most of the stolen money on TikTok coins, an in-app currency that can be purchased with real money. Coins can be used to buy virtual items such as gifts and special emojis on the social media video site TikTok.

Blackmon also used the stolen money to purchase a Dallas Mavericks suite, home furnishings and luxury travel, officials said.

Court records show that Blackmon has appealed her sentence. Her attorney did not respond to an email seeking comment Saturday.