FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
April 8, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10-cr-00293 LJO

FRESNO, Calif. – United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that David Bigelow, Jr., 24, of Merced, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud and counterfeiting of postage stamps. Bigelow also agreed to the forfeiture of more than $15,000 in bank accounts previously seized by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. McKeon is prosecuting the case.

According to the plea agreement, Bigelow manufactured and sold counterfeited United States postage meter stamps in Merced. As a result of this scheme, Bigelow wrongfully obtained at least $100,000.

Bigelow is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge O'Neill on July 8, 2011. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, for mail fraud and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for counterfeiting postage stamps. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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