Thackerville Man Sentenced To 36 Months For Wire Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robert Ashley Bond, age 34, of Thackerville, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a total of 36 months’ imprisonment: 12 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; and to 24 months’ imprisonment for Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028A(a)(1) and 2. The sentences will be served consecutively. The charges arose from an investigation by the Marietta Police Department, the Love County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Secret Service.

The Indictment alleged that from April 2017 and continuing until June 23, 2017, the Defendant, and others, knowingly conspired, agreed and confederated to execute and attempt to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud seven named victims and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises which the Defendant transmitted or caused to be transmitted by means of wire communications in interstate commerce. 

The Indictment also alleged that on or about June 8, 2017, the Defendant knowingly transferred, possessed and used, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person during and in relation to a felony violation enumerated in 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(c), Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, knowing that the means of identification belonged to another actual person.

United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Identity thieves wreak havoc on the lives of their victims. Fortunately, due to diligent victims and local and federal law enforcement agencies, this identity thief was caught and is being brought to justice for his crimes. This investigation and prosecution is a great example of how watchful citizens bringing information to their local law enforcement agency can lead to a team effort between local and federal investigators and prosecutors, and ultimately lead to a successful prosecution.”

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.