Osborne Sentenced for Stealing $1.2M in US Treasury Checks

Sherry Lynn Osborne, a 45-year-old resident of Tifton, Georgia, has been hit with a 37-month prison sentence and ordered to pay $735,454.75 in restitution for her role in a massive theft of U.S. Treasury checks.

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Hugh Lawson in the U.S. District Court, Valdosta Division, on July 29, 2013. Osborne pleaded guilty on February 25, 2013, to conspiracy to Possess Stolen U.S. Treasury Checks, Uttering Forged Securities, and Embezzling Public Monies.

According to court records, Osborne admitted to depositing stolen and fraudulently obtained tax refund checks into her bank accounts and withdrawing the proceeds. She admitted that she knew the checks were fraudulent but deliberately avoided knowing their specific source. The total value of the checks presented by Osborne was approximately $1,200,000 between September and November 2011.

“When Ms. Osborne stole from the Treasury, she stole from us all,” said U.S. Attorney Michael JMoore for the Middle District of Georgia. “My office will continue to use our efforts to enforce the law. This case should remind people that cheaters never win.”

The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Tift County Sheriffs Office, with Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. McCullers prosecuting the Government.

For inquiries regarding this case, contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, at (478) 621-2602.