Joshua Roberts, a 38-year-old resident of Mobile, Alabama, has been handed a hefty sentence for his role in a brazen identity theft and wire fraud scheme.
Starting in January 2015, Roberts and his accomplice, Marcella Watkins, stole large amounts of mail from area apartment complexes over a 35-day period. They would then pillage through the mail, finding credit cards and personal checks belonging to several unsuspecting citizens.
The duo would then use the stolen financial information to fraudulently purchase goods online, totaling approximately $2,108.62. But that wasn’t all – Roberts also used his victims’ identities and bank information to buy additional items for his own personal use and enjoyment.
Roberts’ guilty plea to three charges, including two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of wire fraud, was entered on December 14, 2017. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and presented to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Assistant United States Attorney Gina S. Vann was assigned to handle the case. The sentence handed down to Roberts reflects the severity of his crimes, with 54 months of incarceration and a restitution order of $2,108.62 to be repaid to the defrauded businesses.
The U.S. Attorney’s office announced the sentence, stating that Roberts would spend six months in prison for the wire fraud conviction, followed by consecutive two-year sentences for the two aggravated identity theft convictions.
Roberts’ sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of identity theft and wire fraud. These crimes can have devastating effects on the victims, causing financial ruin and emotional distress.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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