Marianna Resident Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Marianna, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of mail fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Erica Pinkney, age 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Pinkney had previously served as the Secretary and Tax Collector for Marianna Borough. While employed in those roles, Pinkney used the Borough’s credit cards to pay for personal purchases. Then, to pay toward the balance of those credit cards, Pinkney used money that had been collected from Borough residents in order to pay the residents’ tax, water, and garbage bills.

Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for January 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Pinkney be released on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pinkney, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service.