AREA WOMAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING STOLEN MAIL AND ACCESS DEVICE FRAUD

(HOUSTON, TEXAS) – Ebony Okie Gillum, 25, of Houston, Texas, has been arrested following the return of an indictment charging her with possession of stolen mail and access device fraud, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Indicted by a federal grand jury on May 7, 2009, Gillum was arrested by U.S. Postal Inspectors on Thursday, May 14, 2009, and is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court today.
 
The five-count indictment charges Gillum with four counts of possession of stolen mail and one count of access device fraud. The investigation leading to the charges was initiated after U.S. Postal Inspectors received complaints that business checks had been stolen from incoming mail and negotiated. Further investigation revealed the checks had been sent by various restaurant owners to a restaurant supply company in Alief, Texas. Inspectors determined that checks totaling approximately $30,000 had been deposited into an account allegedly controlled by Ebony Okie Gillum.
 
Each of the four counts of possession of stolen mail carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. Access device fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. All five counts also carry a maximum fine of $250,000, upon conviction.

The case was investigated by special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Special Assistant United States Attorney Tammie Y. Moore is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

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