William J. Edwards, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, today announced the indictment of Marsha Billock-Strahm, age 48, of Carey, Ohio, on charges of Aggravated Identity Theft, Identity Theft, False Credit Card Application, and Theft of United States Mail.

The indictment alleges that in 2008 Billock-Strahm worked as a Rural Carrier for the United States Postal Service and delivered mail to residents of Carey, Ohio. The indictment further alleges Billock-Strahm stole pre-approved credit card applications, credit cards and credit card convenience checks from the mail, applied for and obtained four credit cards in the names of third parties, and used the credit cards and credit card convenience checks in transactions totaling $12,573.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigating agency in this case is the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Uram, who may be reached at the above telephone number.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. .