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Cheswick Man Sentenced to Prison for Stamp Theft Scheme
A former Cheswick resident has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for his role in a brazen stamp theft scheme. John Martell, 39, was ordered to pay $37,590 in restitution to the United States Postal Service.
Martell’s scheme, which involved purchasing $34,800 in stamps from 28 different post offices in western Pennsylvania, was uncovered by the United States Postal Inspection Service. The stamps were obtained using checks written on closed accounts and checks belonging to two deceased doctors, which were falsely altered, completed, and signed.
The stolen stamps were then resold for cash, primarily at a pawn shop in Tarentum, PA. In addition to the stamp theft, the United States Postal Service incurred $2,790 in check surcharges, resulting in a total loss of $37,590.
Martell and his codefendant, Holly Lovasik, a former employee of the United States Postal Service, engaged in the scheme to pay a debt they owed to their drug dealer.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Martell, who will also serve a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Martell.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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