Woman Indicted in $500K+ Theft from Mattoon Dentist

Mattoon, Ill. – Rebecca Gutierrez, a former employee of Hastings and Havlik Family Dentistry, is now facing federal charges after initially being charged in Coles County with stealing over $500,000 from the practice. The Coles County State’s Attorney’s office filed a motion Monday to dismiss the state charges, citing the federal indictment.

Gutierrez was originally accused of stealing the funds between June 2020 and September 30, 2025, from dentist Brian Hastings and the dental practice. She had been charged with two Class X felonies, each carrying a penalty for theft between $500,000 and $1 million. Court records indicate Gutierrez had previously entered a plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial.

The federal indictment brings a new layer to the case, effectively halting proceedings in Coles County court. A pre-trial date previously scheduled for Monday was vacated following the state’s motion to dismiss. Details of the federal charges have not yet been publicly released.

The case initially came to light through investigations by Coles County authorities. The amount allegedly stolen – exceeding half a million dollars – prompted the felony charges. The Hastings and Havlik Family Dentistry has not publicly commented on the ongoing legal proceedings.