A former New London woman was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for fraudulently collecting $39,708 in unemployment compensation and failing to appear in court for her sentencing.

According to the Division of Criminal Justice, Yveline Louissaint, 38, formerly of 309 Crystal Ave., claimed to be a U.S. citizen while collecting unemployment compensation benefits between July 2009 and May 2011. Due to her immigration status, she was not legally authorized to work in the United States.

She pleaded no contest on Oct. 15, 2015, in New Britain Superior Court to third-degree larceny. She was scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 29, 2015, but failed to appear in court. A judge issued a rearrest warrant.

On Dec. 22, 2017, Louissaint was arrested in the Town of Groton and charged with sixth-degree larceny. The outstanding rearrest warrant from New Britain was served and she was charged with first-degree failure to appear in court and was ordered held on a $350,000 bond.

Louissaint was sentenced Thursday in New Britain by Judge Joan K. Alexander to 18 months in prison. Louissaint's arrests and convictions were the result of an investigation by the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney following a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor.