BANGOR -- Two Penobscot County women have admitted to stealing funds while working at rural post offices in 2007.

Jennifer O'Brien, 44, of Guilford was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court to three years of probation for misappropriation of postal funds from the Charleston Post Office. Angela Russell, 43, of Mattawamkeag, waived indictment and pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing about $900 in cash from the Winn Post Office.

O'Brien also was ordered to pay a $500 fine and $556 in restitution, the balance on the $1,704 she admitted taking. O'Brien repaid more than $1,000 prior to her sentencing. She faced up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

O'Brien worked at the Charleston Post Office when she used money orders and took cash from the drawer to pay personal bills. Her married name then was Jennifer Tull. She waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the charge in July.

Russell faces up to a year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000. She also is expected to be ordered to pay about $911 in restitution. Her sentencing date has not been set. Russell remains free on personal recognizance bail, according to court documents.

Both women worked as relief postmasters in 2007 when the thefts occurred.

O'Brien was charged with a federal felony because she took more than $1,000.

Russell was charged with a federal misdemeanor because the amount she admitted stealing was less than $1,000.