Local Woman Indicted On Federal Bank Fraud And Identity Theft Charges

St. Louis, MO - MELANIE ANN MAHANEY was indicted on multiple fraud charges involving her alleged misuse of bank funds. 

According to the indictment, between March 8, 2013, and April 19, 2013, defendant was recruited to impersonate car burglary victims in a bank fraud scheme.  During the course of the scheme, defendant received stolen drivers licenses, social security cards, personal checks, credit and debit cards and other forms of identification which had been stolen by others from the vehicles.  Using the stolen identification of one car burglary victim, defendant cashed checks stolen from other car burglary victims at banks located in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area and the Southern District of Illinois.

Mahaney, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on two felony counts of bank fraud and two felony counts of aggravated identity theft. 

If convicted, each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million and each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory imprisonment of 2 years and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry handled the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.