Co-defendant also Sentenced for Role in Conspiracy

COEUR D’ALENE – U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced today that Michelle Ann Mason and Charles Earl Baker have been sentenced for conspiring to commit bank fraud. Mason, 27, of Sandpoint, Idaho, also pleaded guilty in February to identity theft. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge ordered the defendants to pay restitution to the victims, joint and several liability. Mason was ordered to pay $37,790.39; Baker was ordered to pay $22,626.50.

Mason was sentenced on Monday to 48 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to the charge in February. Baker, 32, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday to eight months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in March. Both defendants must perform 100 hours of community service.

According to plea agreements, between August 2010 and June 2011, Mason organized and led a group that stole mail in and near Old Town, Idaho, among other areas. Mason directed her co-conspirators to open bank accounts in order to obtain cash from various banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase, N.A., and Spokane Teacher's Credit Union. As part of Mason's criminal activity, she took over bank accounts that her co-conspirators opened, deposited counterfeit, altered, and/or forged checks that were stolen from the mail into these compromised bank accounts, and then withdrew cash from the accounts using the ATMs. Mason used the compromised bank account checks and ATM cards to purchase merchandise and pay bills. Baker admitted that in February 2011, he was aware of Mason's scheme to commit bank fraud with stolen and/or counterfeit mail. Baker admitted that he knowingly became involved in the conspiracy and intended to commit bank fraud. The total gain to Mason and others was approximately $37,790. The victims included banks, merchants, and the victims of the mail theft.

According to plea agreements, between August 2010 and June 2011, Mason organized and led a group that stole mail in and near Old Town, Idaho, among other areas. Mason directed her co-conspirators to open bank accounts in order to obtain cash from various banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase, N.A., and Spokane Teacher's Credit Union. As part of Mason's criminal activity, she took over bank accounts that her co-conspirators opened, deposited counterfeit, altered, and/or forged checks that were stolen from the mail into these compromised bank accounts, and then withdrew cash from the accounts using the ATMs. Mason used the compromised bank account checks and ATM cards to purchase merchandise and pay bills. Baker admitted that in February 2011, he was aware of Mason's scheme to commit bank fraud with stolen and/or counterfeit mail. Baker admitted that he knowingly became involved in the conspiracy and intended to commit bank fraud. The total gain to Mason and others was approximately $37,790. The victims included banks, merchants, and the victims of the mail theft.