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Department of Justice United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
CONTACT: Brian McGinn PHONE: 540-857-2974 FAX: 540-857-2179 EMAIL: Brian.McGinn@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw |
ROANOKE WOMAN INDICTED ON MAIL FRAUD, FALSE OBLIGATION CHARGES
Doris E. Tucker Is Charged With Attempting To Buy A Car With False Documents
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA -- A Roanoke woman who attempted to buy a Mercedes Benz valued at over $90,000 has been indicted by a federal grand jury on mail and other fraud charges.
A Federal Grand jury sitting in U.S. District Court in Roanoke charged Doris E. Tucker, 56, with one count of mail fraud and two counts of uttering fictitious obligations on October 8, 2009.
According to the indictment, which was unsealed earlier this week, on August 11, 2006 Tucker contacted Hammersly Motors and said she was interested in purchasing a 2007 Mercedes Benz S550. The defendant explained that she could pay for the car using money she was to receive from an inheritance.
As payment, Tucker mailed to Hammersly a false money order and a false IRS Form 104-V (a payment voucher). The defendant claimed these documents were attached to a fictitious trust account from which Hammersly could draw money to pay for the $93,000 vehicle.
On the lone mail fraud count, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years incarceration and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant faces a possible sentence of 25 years incarceration and/or a fine of up to $250,000 for each fictitious obligation count .
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney C. Patrick Hogeboom III will prosecute the case for the United States.
A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.