U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SYLVIA CHESTNUT, age 37, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information for stealing property from a Navy Exchange Store in Florida.
According to court records, between November 12, 2011 and December 18, 2011, CHESTNUT wrote 43 worthless checks, totaling $20,549.36, to two Naval Exchange Stores located at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, and Naval Station Mayport, Florida. CHESTNUT used the worthless checks to purchase clothing, household items, pre-paid Visa cards, and other personal items.
CHESTNUT faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for July 23, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Frein of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida are in charge of the prosecution.
Updated September 2, 2015
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