SEATTLE, WA – A brazen ten-state theft and bank fraud scheme unraveled today with the indictment of eight individuals, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The ring, accused of stealing wallets and pilfering over $700,000 from victims across the country, allegedly used the ill-gotten gains to flip homes in the Los Angeles area, laundering the money through real estate transactions. Five suspects are in custody, with one already incarcerated in Nevada awaiting arraignment.
At the center of the operation are ALEXANDRA SHELBURNE, 24, and DARRYL KILGORE, 55, described by investigators as the masterminds. From July 2014 to July 2017, the pair allegedly targeted grocery stores nationwide, including the greater Seattle area. Their method was simple but effective: create a distraction and snatch unsuspecting shoppers’ wallets. Immediately following the theft, they’d allegedly drain credit and debit cards, cash checks, and exploit the stolen identification.
The couple, arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, didn’t work alone. They allegedly recruited a network of co-conspirators – ROBIN PERRY, 54 of Las Vegas, Nevada; AMBER OKHOMINA, 35 of Ontario, Canada; FREDERICK JACKSON, 62 of Los Angeles, California; SUSAN KOLLER 49, of Toronto, Canada; STACIA QUARTO, 63 of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and ELIZABETH EVANS, 43, of Las Vegas, Nevada – to pose as the victims at banks, making large cash withdrawals or securing cash advances. The scheme generated over $230,000 in fraudulent activity in western Washington alone, with an additional $500,000 stolen across Minnesota, Oregon, California, Michigan, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio, and Utah.
All eight defendants face a charge of Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, carrying a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. KILGORE and SHELBURNE face the most severe penalties, including eight counts of bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, five counts of money laundering, and three counts of aggravated identity theft – the latter carrying a mandatory two-year sentence per count, stacked on top of any other sentence imposed. PERRY, OKHOMINA, QUARTO, and KOLLER are each charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.
Investigators from the U.S. Secret Service, alongside the Kirkland Police Department, built the case, meticulously tracing the stolen funds and identifying the network of individuals involved. Assistant United States Attorney Marie Dalton is prosecuting the case. While the indictment details serious allegations, it’s crucial to remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This isn’t just about stolen wallets; it’s about a calculated and widespread effort to defraud banks and individuals across multiple states,” said a source within the Secret Service, speaking on background. “The use of real estate to launder the stolen funds demonstrates a level of sophistication that we take very seriously.” The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional charges or suspects.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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