Fountain Inn Man Sentenced to 27 Months for Mail Theft Conspiracy

Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Salathiel D. Harrison, age 38, of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, has been sentenced in federal court in Anderson, to conspiracy to steal mail, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  Senior United States District G. Ross Anderson, Jr. of Anderson sentenced Harrison to 27 months imprisonment.  He also ordered Harrison to pay restitution to the victims of his crime.

The evidence at the change of plea hearing established that Harrison recruited individuals to steal mail containing checks and credit cards.  Using the stolen credit card numbers, Harrison ordered expensive items and directed his recruits to pick up merchandise at various stores.  Harrison also used the stolen credit card numbers to rent rooms for his recruits to stay in while they were working for him in the criminal activity.  Law enforcement was able to locate video of Harrison passing stolen checks and retrieving a golf cart that he had purchased with the stolen credit card.  Law enforcement estimates that Harrison stole over $6000 in merchandise before he was apprehended.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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