FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2007                                                                      PHONE: (409) 839-2538
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/txe                                                               CELL: (409) 553-9881
                                                                                                    

GUILTY PLEA IN T.J. MAXX/MARSHALLS FRAUD SCHEME

SHERMAN, TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced today that two North Texas women have pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges in the Eastern District of Texas.
           
CARMEN REGINA HOLLIE, 41, of Garland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Don D. Bush.  Co-defendant ANN DENISE YOUNG, 43, of Dallas, pleaded guilty before Judge Bush on April 11, 2007.

According to information presented in court, between 2003 and 2006, Hollie and Young went to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas to perpetrate a scheme in which they labeled low-priced merchandise with stolen price tags from high-priced merchandise and effected fraudulent returns in exchange for cash or store credit.  Hollie and Young also used a variety of false names and/or false identification documents to execute their scheme.  Hollie and Young caused $111,952.05 in loss; prior to Young’s involvement in the scheme, Hollie caused an additional $6,586.51 in loss.

            Each face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, as well as the responsibility for making restitution.  A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

            Special agents from the United States Secret Service are investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Shamoil T Shipchandler is prosecuting the case.

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