Rodeo Ruse: PA Woman Admits Sprint Scam

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Susan Rowan, 39, of Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania, admitted in federal court today to a brazen scheme to defraud Sprint Communications, leveraging a fabricated identity and a mountain of lies. The plea brings an end, for now, to a case that reads more like a bad country western than a serious federal offense – but the consequences are very real.

Rowan pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud before United States District Judge David S. Cercone. The details revealed in court paint a picture of calculated deception. According to prosecutors, Rowan impersonated a rodeo star to establish a fictitious company, using the persona to order hundreds of cellular telephones from Sprint. These weren’t for a legitimate business, however.

Instead of reselling or using the phones as claimed, Rowan allegedly used them for personal use and distributed them amongst her family. The scale of the operation suggests a sustained effort to exploit Sprint, racking up considerable losses for the communications giant. The specifics of how Rowan maintained the deception and the duration of the scheme remain murky, but the feds clearly had enough to secure a guilty plea.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton’s office is prosecuting the case, with Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen leading the charge. The investigation, conducted by the United States Secret Service, appears to have untangled a web of false pretenses and illicit gains. The Secret Service’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities view even seemingly minor fraud cases – especially those involving large corporations.

Judge Cercone has scheduled sentencing for July 2, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Rowan faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a hefty fine of $250,000, or a combination of both. However, the actual sentence will be determined based on the severity of the offense and Rowan’s criminal history, if any. For now, she remains free on bond, awaiting her fate.

This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly outlandish schemes can have serious legal ramifications. While the details are unusual, the underlying crime – defrauding a major corporation – is a serious federal offense. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves towards sentencing, and will report any further developments.