FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
July 19, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 2:11-cr-145-JAM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Melvin Lee Gregory, 28, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to two counts of aggravated identity theft.

This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, between March 2010 and July 2010, Gregory stole U.S. mail, looking for financial and identification information. He opened lines of credit with the personal information of his victims and obtained cash and goods from merchants and financial institutions in the Sacramento metropolitan area. On July 31, 2010, law enforcement officers arrested Gregory after a high speed chase in a stolen car. At that time, the officers discovered that Gregory possessed over 150 items of stolen U.S. Mail. Gregory and his wife stole mail and financial information from over 350 victims.

Gregory is scheduled to be sentenced on September 27, 2011 by United States District Judge John A. Mendez. He faces a minimum sentence of four years in prison, up to a $500,000 fine, and restitution. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

On February 22, 2011, Gregory's wife, Laura Lee Elizabeth Gregory, 28, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud, and a single count of possession of stolen U.S. Mail. Her sentencing is scheduled before Judge Mendez on August 30, 2011.

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