Johnstown Woman Charged in Fraud Scheme

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pa. was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of access device fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The indictment named Deanna Brandon, 39, of Johnstown, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from on or about Feb. 3, 2015, to on or about Feb. 9, 2015, Brandon knowingly, with intent to defraud, used an unauthorized device, namely a credit card, to obtain various household and electronic items, aggregating more than $1,000.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.