Southern Oregon Couple Indicted in Mail Theft Scheme to Defraud Victims

MEDFORD, Ore. – Gregory Brooks 49, and Michelle Lustig, 44, of Grants Pass, Oregon, were indicted by a federal grand jury.  Both were charged with conspiracy to commit mail theft and bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft.  The charges involve the theft of mail from over 400 victims in communities located in Jackson and Josephine Counties during a four month period beginning in March 2013, and include a scheme in using the victim’s stolen personal identity to defraud banks and local merchants.  Brooks was arraigned on the charges before Federal Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke who set Brook’s trial for November 19, 2013.  Brooks remains in federal custody.  Arrest warrants have been issued for Lustig and anyone with information about her whereabouts is requested to contact the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety or their nearest law enforcement agency.

An indictment (see attached)  is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the sentences range from maximum sentences of 5 to 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for an aggravated identity theft conviction.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Grants Pass Department of Public Safety and the Jackson County Sheriff’s office in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

For more information, please see the attached indictment Here