UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	APRIL 1, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

BIRMINGHAM MAN INDICTED FOR BANK FRAUD,
AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT, AND POSSESSING STOLEN MAIL

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - GERALD WAYNE DANIELS, 48, of Birmingham, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Birmingham today.  United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama and Frank Dyer, Postal Inspector/Domicile Coordinator, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, announce today that  DANIELS has been indicted for Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Possessing Stolen Mail.

              The indictment charges that, in June 2008, DANIELS unlawfully removed mail, including checks, from a mailbox in Hoover, Alabama.  DANIELS altered the checks before passing them at four Birmingham-area businesses.

            “Theft from mailboxes is taken seriously as this prosecution concerning $2,053.35 demonstrates,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

            Upon conviction, DANIELS faces a maximum sentence of 30 years’ incarceration and a fine of $1,000,000 for Bank Fraud and a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of stolen mail.  If DANIELS is convicted of aggravated identity theft, he faces an additional mandatory 2-year prison.

            This case was investigated by Inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service and internal investigators for Compass Bank.  Assistant United States Attorney Melissa K. Atwood is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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