Katie Carrillo Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud and Identity Theft Charges
Albuquerque, NM – In a shocking turn of events, Katie Carrillo, 26, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to conspiracy, fraud, identify theft, and theft of mail charges.
Carrillo and co-defendant, Ralph Eastman, 48, also of Albuquerque, were charged in a 16-count indictment on Aug. 23, 2016, with conspiracy, ten counts of bank fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of theft of mail. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the offenses from Dec. 2015 through April 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., by stealing mail and packages from cluster mailboxes located in apartment complexes.
The mail stolen included checkbooks, checks, ATM cards, PIN numbers, and personal identifiers of victims, which the defendants allegedly used to commit further crimes. Carrillo pled guilty to conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of theft or receipt of stolen mail. She entered the guilty plea without the benefit of a plea agreement.
At sentencing, Carrillo faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment on the conspiracy and theft of mail charges, and a maximum penalty of 30 years on the bank fraud charges. She also faces a mandatory term of two years of imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft charge, which must be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
Ralph Eastman, 48, co-defendant of Carrillo, pled guilty to the charges against him in the indictment, namely, conspiracy, eight counts of bank fraud, and two counts of theft of mail, as well as a felony information charging him with aggravated identify theft. Eastman will be sentenced to 36 months and one day in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
The U.S. Postal Service, the Albuquerque Police Department, and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Jon Ganjei and Paul Mysliwiec.
The case against Carrillo and Eastman is a stark reminder of the dangers of identity theft and the importance of protecting personal information. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Katie Carrillo
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy, fraud, identify theft, and theft of mail
- City and State: Albuquerque, N.M.
- Date: Aug. 23, 2016 (indictment date)
- Sentence: Carrillo faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment on the conspiracy and theft of mail charges, and a maximum penalty of 30 years on the bank fraud charges. She also faces a mandatory term of two years of imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft charge.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Identity Theft
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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