New Orleans Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government Funds

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SYLVIA CHESTNUT, age 37, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with stealing property from a Navy Exchange Store in Florida.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced CHESTNUT to sixty days imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  Additionally, CHESTNUT was ordered to pay full restitution to the Navy Exchange.

According to court documents, 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.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), 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 were in charge of the prosecution.