Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Shawna Michelle Holmes, age 36, of Longs, South Carolina, was sentenced this week in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for use of an unauthorized access device, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(2), and  aggravated identity theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).  United States District Judge R.Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced HOLMES to 81 months imprisonment, three years supervised release and ordered her to pay $1,169,909.50 in restitution.
           
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Holmes was employed by Bargain Beachwear in Myrtle Beach and from August, 2006 until September, 2010, she used eight (8) of Bargain Beachwear’s credit cards and a credit card of one of its co-owners without authorization causing over $1,000,000.00 in losses.  Holmes added her name to the credit cards and then made charges for personal items such as 10 vehicles, joining a health club and paying her husband’s taxes.  Holmes altered Bargain Beachwear’s records to make it appear the charges were for purchases of inventory.           

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office handled the case.            

           

                    

 

                    

 

           

 

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