A Joplin man’s scheme to commit bank and wire fraud by stealing mail from residents has landed him a 3-year, 7-month prison sentence.
Aaron M. Blake, 28, was sentenced in federal court in Springfield, Mo., for his role in the conspiracy, which involved stealing mail from residential mailboxes and porches in Joplin between December 2022 and January 2023.
The stolen mail included credit cards, debit cards, checks, cash, jewelry, and documents containing personal identifying information such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and bank account information.
Blake and his co-defendant, Emily Anna-Lee Sturgis, 31, used the stolen credit cards to make unlawful purchases and used the stolen personal information to open credit card accounts and bank accounts under the victims’ names.
The pair attempted to obtain at least $13,845 from their victims and did obtain at least $12,482.
Blake pleaded guilty on February 13, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Co-defendant Sturgis pleaded guilty on July 22, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and one count of bank fraud and awaits sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark and investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Carthage, Mo., Police Department, and the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Related Federal Cases
- Albert Davis, Wire Fraud, Kansas City, MO, 2023 · Missouri
- Darrin Landes, Wire Fraud, Ballwin MO, 2023 · Washington
- Corey Buddle, Mail and Wire Fraud, New York 2024 · Washington
- Jason J Parmeley, Wire Fraud, IL 2024 · Washington
- Demea Loyd, Wire Fraud, MO 2024 · Missouri
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News