A Franklin County woman has pleaded guilty to charges related to using stolen mail for bank and check fraud. Miranda Burgess, 30, admitted in federal court on Wednesday to all 13 counts against her, including one count of aggravated identity theft, three counts of possession of stolen mail, and nine counts of bank fraud.
According to the plea agreement, Burgess began obtaining stolen mail from a Missouri victim as early as February 1, 2022. The stolen mail included details about the victim’s bank accounts. Using this information, Burgess transferred funds from the victim’s bank account into her own accounts at Acorns, Green Dot, M1 Finance, Square, and Wave. She initiated $76,270 in fraudulent electronic transfers; however, $50,000 was later returned to the victim.
In addition to these transfers, Burgess deposited counterfeit checks that bore the victim’s name along with a forged electronic signature and account number. This resulted in an additional loss of $1,200 for the victim.
Burgess is scheduled for sentencing on December 3. Bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million or both. Possession of stolen mail can result in up to five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory two-year prison sentence served consecutively with any other sentences.
She will also be required to repay the money involved in the offenses.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service along with local law enforcement agencies including the Arnold Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting.
