U.S. Department
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Press Release
Press Release
Piedmont Man Pleads Guilty to Concealing a Fugitive
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina
Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that David Roger Nelson, age 60, of Piedmont, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, to harboring a fugitive and conspiracy to steal mail, violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1071 and 371, respectively. 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 although Nelson knew that Emily Keller (who had earlier pled guilty to mail theft) was a federal fugitive who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals, he hid her in various hotel rooms in South Carolina and Georgia, and rented a vehicle that was used to transport her. In addition, Nelson was involved in the stealing of mail and the making of counterfeit checks to support himself and Keller while they were on the run. When captured in Easley, South Carolina, Nelson was found with stolen mail, check stock, and counterfeit checks and identification documents.
Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Nelson 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 United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Marshals. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Updated May 11, 2016
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