Indictment: Mail Theft Scheme Rested on Theft of Master Key

WICHITA, KAN. – A 61-count federal indictment returned Tuesday charged 11 defendants in a case involving the alleged theft of mail from Wichita mailboxes, identity theft and bank fraud.

 

The indictment alleges that on Dec. 8, 2012, Wichita police learned that a U.S. Postal Service vehicle was burglarized and a master key was stolen that could open mailboxes throughout the Wichita metro area. Copies of the stolen key were used to steal mail, including checks and money orders. Methods used to cash the checks and money orders include adding a person’s name to the payee line, removing the original payee and substituting another name, forging signatures of account holders, and making counterfeit checks using the stolen information

 

Defendants named in the indictment include:

Brandon L. Amend, 30, Wichita, Kan.

Bettye L. Amend, 26, Wichita, Kan.

Cory D. Blanchard, 33

Ashley M. Campbell, 30, Valley Center, Kan.

Jason A. Farner, 33, Leavenworth, Kan.

Keith P. Gipson, 30, Wichita, Kan.

Krista A. Goodwin, 27, Wichita, Kan.

Jason L. West, 31, Wichita, Kan.

Cole P. Kelly, 32, Wichita, Kan.

Shalan D. Hiatt, 37

Jera L. Hammond, 25, Wichita, Kan.

 

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Receipt of stolen mail: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Theft of mail: Up to10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Bank fraud: Up to 30 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count.

Aggravated identity theft: A mandatory two years (consecutive) and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

 

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh are prosecuting.

 

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Danny Russell Thomas, 50, Augusta, Kan., is charged with one count of wire fraud, three counts of attempted wire fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of bankruptcy fraud. The indictment alleges he used stolen identities to apply for loans and to attempt to purchase autos.

 

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the wire fraud charges, a mandatory two years (consecutive) on each identity theft charge and up to five years and a fine up $250,000 on each of the bankruptcy charges. The Secret Service and the U.S. Trustee investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

 

 

Chanel K. Wiseman, 28, Wichita, Kan., is charged with two counts of receiving stolen mail, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of attempted wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, two counts of possessing fraudulent identification documents and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances.

 

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Receipt of stolen mail: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Possession of methamphetamine: Up to a year in prison and a fine of at least $1,000.

Wire fraud: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Aggravated identity theft: A mandatory two years (consecutive) and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Possession of fraudulent identification documents: Up to five years and a fine up $250,000 on each count.

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

 

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

 

Adan Lucas Vail, 28, a citizen of Guatemala, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Dec. 20, 2016, in Seward County, Kan.

 

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

 

Gilberto Diaz-Castro, 55, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Feb. 9, 2017, in Finney County, Kan.

 

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

 

 

William Myron McGold, 42, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of making a false statement when purchasing a firearm and one count of aggravated identity theft. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Dec. 10, 2016, at Goddard Gunnery in Sedgwick County, Kan.

 

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm count, and a mandatory two years (consecutive) and a fine up to $250,000 on the aggravated identity theft charge. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

 

Michael Scott Ramsey, 32, is charged with escaping from custody at Mirror Incorporated, a halfway house in the 3800 block of North Toben in Wichita.

 

If convicted, he faces up to five years and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshal Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.