Kalispell Couple Sentenced for Mail Theft Scheme
A Kalispell couple has been sentenced to prison for stealing hundreds of pieces of mail from rural mailboxes in Lincoln and Flathead counties and using credit cards found in the stolen mail to defraud businesses.
Michael Thomas Kullberg, 34, and his wife Jennifer Don Smith, 38, were sentenced to 31 months and 32 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.
The couple pleaded guilty in May to theft of mail, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. They were also ordered to pay $2,302 in restitution, which consisted of the fraudulent charges and reimbursement for stolen mail.
The investigation found that Kullberg stole mail and packages from at least 300 residents in the Eureka, Libby, Kila, and Marion areas on at least two occasions in March and April 2020. He used the stolen credit cards to make fraudulent charges at various businesses in Eureka and Kalispell.
Smith conspired with her husband to use the stolen credit cards and personally tendered the cards to make purchases. The stolen mail was dumped along roadways, ditches, and other public areas, with dozens of residents reporting the loss of packages, letters, bills, outgoing checks, and personal identifying information.
Kullberg denied stealing mail or using anyone else’s credit card without permission, claiming he was driving around fighting with Smith in the car when his GPS unit placed him at the scene of the thefts.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department, and Montana Probation and Parole.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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