ST. LOUIS • Duane Cook, 36, who worked for Edward Jones Trust Co. administering and later auditing trust accounts, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court here and admitted stealing $188,848 from three client accounts from 2006-11.

Cook had 61 checks issued from three client accounts and made out to "Fever," a company that he set up, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith said in court.

Cook, of the 1300 block of Cabrillo Drive in Spanish Lake, used the money for personal expenses, Goldsmith said.

Cook could face two to three years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines on the mail fraud charge.

Jackie Knolhoff, an Edward Jones spokeswoman, told the Post-Dispatch in October that the company "would ensure appropriate adjustments to all affected clients."