Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on August 21, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, CHAD ALLEN WILSON, a 28-year-old resident of Billings, appeared for sentencing. WILSON was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 24 months, consecutive to another sentence

• Special Assessment: $100

• Restitution: to be determined

• Supervised Release: 3 years

WILSON was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to credit card fraud.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

In February of 2006, WILSON was paroled from Montana State Prison and returned home to live with his parents in Billings. Just prior to his moving home, his brother R.W. had been living at their parents' home and received his mail there. When R.W. moved out, some of his mail continued to be delivered at his parents' address - including pre-approved credit offers. WILSON filled out several pre-approved credit offers in his brother's name.

In all, WILSON obtained five credit cards in R.W.'s name and charged over $30,000 on these credit cards. WILSON admitted using the money for daily living expenses, gambling, and purchasing drugs and alcohol.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that WILSON will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, WILSON does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Archer prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service.

 

 

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