Sept. 22, 2010

JURY CONVICTS LAWRENCE WOMAN OF SELLING STOLEN GOODS ON eBAY

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal jury today found a Lawrence woman guilty of federal charges of selling stolen goods on eBay, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Carrie Marie Neighbors, 49, Lawrence, Kan., was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering; 12 counts of wire fraud, and three counts of money laundering.

During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Neighbors operated a business called Yellow House Quality Appliances at 1904 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, Kan. The business bought and sold items power tools, clothing, appliances and electronics, selling many of the items on the eBay Web site.

From January 2004 through July 2006, Neighbors took part in a conspiracy to purchase stolen items and sell them on eBay. Many of the items purchased were new and still in the box. Neighbors paid about 50 percent of their retail value and resold the items for a profit. Once Neighbors received payment through Pay Pal accounts or received payment directly from the purchaser she would mail the stolen items to purchasers. She used some of the proceeds from the sale of stolen items to purchase other items that had been stolen and to make payments on her residence at 1104 Andover in Lawrence, Kan.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 3, 2011. She faces the following penalties:
Conspiracy: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Wire fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Mail fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.

Grissom commended Micky Rantz and Jay Bilek of the Lawrence Police Department, David Nitz of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Henry Herron of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker for their work on the case.