Albuquerque Couple’s Office Supply Heist Exposed

ALBUQUERQUE – In a shocking case of corporate deception, a federal jury has found Albuquerque couple Matthew Channon, 38, and his wife Brandi Channon, 35, guilty of wire fraud charges after a seven-day trial. The couple was convicted of a conspiracy charge and six wire fraud charges arising out of a sophisticated scheme to defraud OfficeMax out of more than $100,000.

The scheme, which lasted from August 2009 through June 2011, involved the Channons using interstate wire communications to create numerous MaxPerk Rewards accounts in fictitious names to avoid OfficeMax’s policy of issuing only one account per person. They then used the accounts to fraudulently claim rewards from OfficeMax to which they were not entitled.

According to the indictment, the Channons perpetuated the scheme by fraudulently creating more than 5000 MaxPerk Rewards accounts in the names of fictitious people. They went online and used the fraudulent accounts to falsely claim rewards-program credit for purchases that other customers had in fact made. The Channons falsely claimed that they engaged in more than 60,000 transactions with OfficeMax involving almost $2,000,000.00 worth of purchases, in over 300 stores located in over 20 states.

U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez commended the jury for their verdict, stating, “These individuals stole money and property, using computers and e-mail as tools of their trade. This conviction shows the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to the investigation and prosecution of theft, whether electronic or at the point of a gun.”

Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division added, “Criminals who cheat companies wind up costing hard-working families more at the cash register. I am proud of the FBI Special Agents and support staff who investigated this case, and I congratulate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for a successful prosecution.”

The Channons face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine at sentencing. Their sentencing hearings have yet to be scheduled. The case was investigated by the Albuquerque Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret M. Vierbuchen, Holland S. Kastrin and C. Paige Messec.

The Channons’ scheme has left OfficeMax and its customers reeling, with the company losing over $100,000 worth of property as a result of the couple’s fraudulent conduct. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of corporate security measures and the consequences of corporate deception.

The trial of the Channons commenced on Jan. 13, 2016, and concluded late this afternoon when the jury returned a guilty verdict on all seven counts of the indictment.