U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Greenville Couple Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft Conspiracy
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina
Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100
Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cary L. Wright, age 38, and Tanya A. Wright, age 29, both of Greenville, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to commit mail theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendants stole mail in and around Greenville County in an effort to obtain bank account numbers, routing numbers, and identification information. Once in possession of this material they would create counterfeit checks and negotiate them to obtain money for methamphetamine. On June 10, 2016, a search warrant was executed at the home of the Wrights in Greenville. Items recovered from the residence included, but was not limited to, numerous pieces of mail belonging to others, checks stolen from the mail, financial transaction cards, blank check stock, counterfeit checks, and a computer used for check counterfeiting.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty defendants can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville City Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Updated September 2, 2016
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