Wessington Springs Man arraigned on Charges of Mail Theft, Obstruction of Correspondence, and Conspiracy

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wessington Springs, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Mail Theft, Obstruction of Correspondence, and Conspiracy.

Loren R. Stuefen, age 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 13, 2010. He appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 10, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 30 years’ custody, a $1,000,000 fine, or both; 5 years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Restitution may also be ordered. The charges are merely accusations, and Stuefen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay Miller. Stuefen was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal.