National Park Service Employee Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Park Fees

     PHOENIX– Yesterday, Sharon Baldwin, 47, of Sanders, Ariz., a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa to a year in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Baldwin was also ordered to pay restitution to the National Park Service in the amount of $313,000. Baldwin had previously pleaded guilty to theft of government money.

     Baldwin was formerly employed at the Petrified Forest National Park and was responsible for accounting for park entrance fees paid by Park visitors. From 2010 through 2016, Baldwin used her supervisory position to steal more than $300,000 and altered electronic records and documents to hide her theft.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Interior, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution was handled by Monica Edelstein, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-16-08295-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-022_Baldwin

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.