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Press Release

Woman from Albuquerque sentenced to 39 months in federal prison for conspiracy, bank fraud, identity theft, and possession of stolen mail

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – Christina Torrez, 45, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque to 39 months in prison for conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen mail.

Torrez previously pleaded guilty to these offenses on July 19, 2019.  According to Torrez’s plea agreement, she participated in a scheme with her husband and co-defendant, Jose Torrez, to steal mail containing credit cards, debit cards, checks, and personal information that could be used to commit more theft. Torrez and her husband accessed bank accounts using stolen identities and withdrew money from the accounts.  Torrez and her husband also used stolen credit and debit cards to buy merchandise from various stores totaling more than $10,000. They also cashed checks from multiple banks and credit unions using false identification. During the scheme, Torrez and her husband also obtained United States Postal Service uniforms, badges, and keys to assist them in stealing mail.

           Jose Torrez is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.

The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department, the Sandia Tribal Police, and the Laguna Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S Attorneys Kimberly A. Brawley and Nicholas J. Ganjei are prosecuting the case.

Updated January 30, 2020

Press Release Number: 20-012