Former Cheyenne Resident Sentenced for Bank Fraud, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Aggravated Identity Theft
United States Attorney Mark A. Klaassen announced that former Cheyenne resident Dawn Marie Wheeler, 51, was sentenced on November 26, 2018, to serve consecutive prison sentences of 27 months and 24 months, respectively, after engaging in a mail theft, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft scheme. United States District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentences. After serving her prison sentences, Wheeler will be under court-ordered supervision for three years. The court also ordered Wheeler to pay $300 in special assessments and make restitution to the victims of her conduct. The court has not yet determined the amount of restitution.
Between November of 2017 and February of 2018, Wheeler and various associates committed a spree of mail thefts in Laramie County, Wyoming. Along with stealing mail from dozens of postal customers, Wheeler and her associates stole identities, opened unauthorized accounts, made unauthorized deposits and withdrawals, forged stolen checks, and engaged in other related illegal activity. The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, Cheyenne Police Department, and United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the mail theft scheme. With the assistance of various concerned citizens, the investigators identified Wheeler and her associates.
“The United States Department of Justice and my office are committed to defending the integrity of the United States Mail,” said U.S. Attorney Klaassen. “Any theft of mail, with or without monetary loss, is a federal felony punishable by up to five years in prison. My office will continue to prosecute those who steal mail in the District of Wyoming.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service would like to thank the diligent witnesses in this case who reported suspicious activity involving the U.S. Mail,” said Lesley Allison, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the Denver Division. “Along with the quick response from local law enforcement, the actions of the victims and witnesses in this case allowed the Postal Inspector to quickly identify these defendants, who were responsible for stealing mail from numerous victims. As we enter into the busy holiday mailing season,” Ms. Allison said, “this sentence marks a great example of what can happen when the public and law enforcement work together with Postal Inspectors to stop mail theft in our communities.”
Ms. Allison reminds the public to call 911 if they see suspicious activity involving the U.S. Mail. The public can also reach the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by dialing its 24/7 hotline, 1-877-876-2455, and asking for a “Representative.” Finally, the public can report crimes involving the mail via the Inspection Service website: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/. The Inspection Service takes each report of mail theft seriously, and works closely with local law enforcement to identify those responsible for such crimes.
