FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
October 14, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 2:11-cr-254-GEB

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Courtney L. Williams, 24, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to obstruction of justice, failure to appear, and possession of stolen U.S. Mail. In the same case, co-defendant Frank Antwoine Johnson, 33, of Stockton, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen U.S. Mail, credit card fraud, and unauthorized possession of identification documents.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department, and the City of Stockton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, Williams and Johnson were observed on June 8, 2011, driving a van with a side sliding door, pulling alongside neighborhood collection mailboxes and residential mailboxes, and stealing mail. When stopped, law enforcement uncovered hundreds of items of stolen U.S. Mail and evidence that the defendants were cataloging the mail, profiling postal customers for identity theft, and rifling the contents of mail for financial and identity documents for later fraudulent use.

Johnson pleaded guilty to possessing at least five identification documents belonging to others and at least 15 access devices (checking account numbers and credit card numbers) belonging to others. When arrested, Williams gave a false name and continued using the false name in federal court. By the time law enforcement and federal court authorities properly identified Williams through record checks, Williams had absconded and failed to appear for a court hearing.

Williams and Johnson were taken into custody following today's hearing and sentencing is set for January 6, 2012 before United States District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. They each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $750,000 fine for possession of stolen U.S. Mail. Johnson faces up to 10 years in prison for access device fraud, and up to 15 years in prison for unauthorized possession of identification documents. Williams faces up to 10 years in prison for obstruction of justice and additional consecutive sentence of up to 15 years in prison for failure to appear. 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.

Co-defendant Alisha Grim, 40, of Stockton, is charged with mail theft, possession, and identity theft offenses. She is scheduled to appear in federal court before Judge Burrell on October 24, 2011. The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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