Man Arrested in Rancho Cordova Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Identity Theft and a Bank Fraud Scheme

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cody Patrick Cannon, 31, a transient, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of reproduced U.S. Postal Service keys, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between January and August 2018, Cannon and an accomplice engaged in a bank fraud scheme in which they used counterfeit U.S. Postal Service keys to open apartment complex mailboxes and steal hundreds of pieces of mail throughout Northern California. From the stolen mail, Cannon and the accomplice then harvested financial information, government-issued IDs, credit and debit cards, and personally identifiable information. They also defrauded banks by using the stolen cards to purchase goods and withdraw cash from ATMs in Vacaville, Folsom, Rocklin, and Rancho Cordova.

On Aug. 2, 2018, Cannon and co-defendant Candice Freitas were arrested at their RV, which was parked in a hotel parking lot in Rancho Cordova. They were found to be in possession of stolen mail, checks, multiple stolen and fake California driver’s licenses, at least two passports bearing the names of others, and at least seven counterfeit U.S. Postal Service mail keys.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has identified over 1,500 victims of mail theft associated with these offenses.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Folsom Police Department, and the Vacaville Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.

Freitas has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment and remains in custody pending trial, which is scheduled for April 20, 2020. The charges against her are only allegations; she is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.