Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Robert Moran, 42, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge William Conley to 21 months in prison for committing wire fraud by shoplifting retail items from Walmart and then selling them on eBay. Moran pleaded guilty to the charge on February 22, 2012.

Between May 2009 and June 2010, Moran shoplifted $78,443 in items from Walmart retail stores in Plover, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau and Marshfield, and then sold the items using an eBay account belonging to his sister.

At sentencing, Judge Conley noted the substantial loss amount attributable to Moran and stated that Moran had been engaged as a lifelong thief based on his six prior convictions for petty theft, burglary and retail theft. Judge Conley rejected Moran's argument that a minimal term of imprisonment was needed in light of all of the factors in the case.

The charges against Moran were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul W. Connell.

 

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