Members of Mail Theft Ring Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison

Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis announced today that an Anchorage woman has been sentenced in federal court in Anchorage for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Elizabeth Ingalsbe, 45, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to 42 months in prison.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward, Ingalsbe, as a member of a mail theft ring in Anchorage, cashed checks at the bank that had been stolen from victims’ mailboxes.  The checks were altered to indicate a false payee and to increase the payment amount.  The stolen checks included payments for rent, insurance premiums, a donation to a veteran’s memorial, and bill payments.  The amounts were generally $100 or less and were falsely increased to $900 before Inglasbe cashed the checks.  Ingalsbe victimized approximately 21 individuals and organizations.

The court noted Ingalsbe’s lengthy criminal history and the emotional impact to the victims who indicated that the safety and security in their home and community had been compromised by these crimes as reasons for the sentence imposed.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis stated, “Identity theft is a worldwide problem that can have devastating impact on its victims.  In this case, the defendant victimized over 20 local citizens, putting their bank accounts, credit ratings, reputations and good names at risk.  It is appropriate that the sentence imposed is significant and serves to deter others from committing similar crimes.”

United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler commends the United States Postal Inspection Service for the investigation of this case.