Local Couple Indicted On Charges Of Selling Stolen Merchandise

St. Louis, MO – CHRISTIAN OUNANIAN and GINA VOGEL were indicted on charges of selling merchandise stolen from Walgreens and CVS drug stores.

According to the indictment,  Ounanian owned Xtra Wholesale in St. Louis City. Between 2007 and September 2012, Ounanian and Vogel hired people to steal over the counter drugs and other items from Walgreens and CVS stores.  The shoplifters were paid for the items and Ounanian and Vogel conspired to resell the items.

Ounanian and Vogel, both of St. Louis City, were each indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to transmit stolen goods and one felony count of interstate transportation of stolen goods.  They are expected to appear in federal court later this week.

If convicted, conspiracy to transmit stolen goods carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. Interstate transportation of stolen goods carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Franks is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.