United States Attorney John M. Bales
Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009                                                 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txe                               PHONE: (409) 839-2538 CELL: (409) 553-9881

NINE ARRESTED IN MAIL FRAUD & IDENTITY THEFT RING

            MARSHALL, TX – U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that 9 individuals have been arrested on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in the Eastern District of Texas.

            Today's arrests are the result of an on-going investigation into mail fraud and identity theft in the Camp County area operating within the Eastern District of Texas.  The defendants are alleged to have devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money, specifically unemployment insurance benefits, from the Texas Workforce Commission by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses and representations.  As a result of this fraud, defendants are alleged to have received payments they were not entitled to receive.  Texas' unemployment insurance program is administered on behalf of the federal government by state workforce agencies in each state, including the Texas workforce Commission. 

            A federal indictment was returned by the grand jury on May 6, 2009, charging multiple defendants with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.  The following individuals were arrested today and appeared before for Initial Appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Chad Everingham, III:

          Defendants Arrested:                           Age          Residence                                        
          Shanndolyn Genae Morrow             28        Hughes Springs, TX
          Shankea Lasha Baker-Adams         24        Longview, TX
          Annie Lucile Grigsby                        46        Leesburg, TX             
          Shalonda Roshea Grigsby                28        Leesburg, TX             
          Quaneshia Quina Baker                   28        Daingerfield, TX
          Travis Gerard Williamsv                  33         Hughes Springs, TX
          Annie Jean Rogers                           29        Pittsburg, TX
          Agatha Loraine Moore                     24         Pittsburg, TX
          Shanealdolyn T. Morrow                  21         Hughes springs, TX

            If convicted, defendants face 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and mail fraud charges and not less than 2 years in federal prison for the aggravated identity theft charge. 

            This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspector Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.  A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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