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

BIRMINGHAM MAN INDICTED FOR MAIL FRAUD/IDENTITY THEFT

            BIRMINGHAM, AL- CONNIE BUTLER, 32, of Birmingham, was indicted today in U.S. District Court in Birmingham.   U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin, Mike Hale, Jefferson County Sheriff and the United States Postal Inspection Service announce the indictment today for three counts of mail fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

             BUTLER is accused of making fraudulent credit applications and receiving the credit cards via the Postal Service.

            “The impact of identity theft for its victims can be far more reaching than the initial crime.  Credit scores can be affected as well as many other aspects of people’s lives.  This is a serious crime that is aggressively pursued and prosecuted in the Northern District of Alabama,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. 

            Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale stated, “Identity Theft and Fraud continues to be the fastest growing financial crime in the country.  Its effects on victims, financial institutions and merchants are in the billions. It is a crime of complete deception and most of the time it can be months before the victim is even aware of it.  We appreciate our partnership with the United States Attorney's Office and United States Postal Inspection Service and the strides we are making to bring these kinds of criminals to justice quickly.”

            Martin Phanco, Atlanta Division’s Postal Inspector in Charge, offered the following tips to combat identity theft, “If an identity thief opens new credit accounts in your name, the accounts will likely show up on your credit report.  You can determine this by ordering a copy of your credit reports, and you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year.   Check the report carefully to ensure it is accurate.  If your personal information has been lost or stolen, check your reports more frequently for the first year.  If you discover you are a victim of identity theft, contact your financial institutions and local law enforcement.”

            The maximum penalty for mail fraud is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00, or both.  Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory 2 year prison sentence consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

            This matter was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Postal Inspection Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beau Brown on behalf of the United States.

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