ALBUQUERQUE – A relentless pursuit of justice culminated in the sentencing of Angelica Dominguez, 41, and her wife Billy Jo Gussler, 44, to prison for a bank fraud scheme and the audacious burglary of a Tesuque Pueblo gas station. The couple has been handed a tough sentence by the federal system, which offers no parole.
Between January 2020 and August 2022, Dominguez and Gussler executed a sophisticated bank fraud scheme, stealing and cashing checks meant for others. Their heist cost victims over $40,000, an amount that highlights their callous disregard for the law and the communities they preyed upon.
But their criminal activities did not end there. In May 2022, the pair broke into a Tesuque Pueblo gas station, shattering a glass door to gain entry. They made off with lottery tickets and cigarettes, causing nearly $2,500 in losses, including property damage. Dominguez’s attempt to cash stolen lottery tickets the following day sealed their fate.
Neither Dominguez nor Gussler is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, yet they were linked to the theft through Dominguez’s brazen move. Both women have now faced the music: Dominguez was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment, while Gussler received 37 months. Upon their release, both will be subjected to three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced the sentences today, emphasizing the severity of the crimes and the justice served. The investigation into the theft was a collaborative effort by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tesuque Tribal Police, and Quay County Sheriff’s Office, while the U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the charge against the bank fraud with support from local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Maria Stiteler are the prosecutors responsible for bringing these criminals to justice.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to enrich themselves through deceit and violence. The sentences handed down today send a clear message: crime does not pay, especially when it targets innocent victims in small communities.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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