Stockton Woman Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Participation in Bank Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme Using Mail Stolen from Sutter County and Sacramento County Post Offices

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller sentenced Breneth L. Chase, 44, of Stockton, today to four years and 10 months in prison for bank fraud, aggravated I.D. theft, and possession of counterfeit I.D. documents, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Chase and others obtained U.S. mail and postal keys stolen during burglaries of post offices in Sutter County and Sacramento County. She used the stolen mail to manufacture checks and identification documents to cash phony checks, apply for lines of credit, and make purchases at local department stores. According to court documents, Chase possessed over five different manufactured identifications including U.S. Military identifications and badges. Chase admitted that she possessed personal and financial information for numerous Sutter and Sacramento County residents.

San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Rafael Nunez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated: “Postal Inspectors work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those individuals responsible for thefts of mail, postal property and complex financial crimes committed against the public and the Post Office.”

This case was the product of an investigation of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Sutter County Sheriff's Office, Stockton Police Department, and Sutter Creek Police Department, with the assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez prosecuted the case.