Two Charged with Conspiracy and Fraud for Ticket Scheme

PITTSBURGH – Two Western Pennsylvania residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on June 21 and unsealed yesterday, named Jamie J. McNamara, 32, of Washington, Pa., and Michael F. Schoedel, 26, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

According to the indictment, from on or about March 1, 2014 to March 17, 2014, McNamara and Schoedel falsely represented that they had tickets to entertainment events to potential purchasers on Craigslist. They would then have potential purchasers wire money for these tickets, but McNamara and Schoedel did not provide any tickets.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.