Baltimore, MD – A brazen pickpocket crew preying on unsuspecting women in restrooms has been sentenced to prison.
Crystal Barner, 28, was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for her role in the scheme to steal wallets and credit cards from women’s purses.
According to her plea agreement, Barner was part of a crew that targeted women in restrooms, with the leader, Ida Mae Weathers, stealing wallets from purses hung on hooks in stalls. The crew would often create a distraction in an adjacent stall, allowing the victim to be unaware of the theft.
Weathers, 49, was sentenced to 259 months in prison, with her accomplice, Nicole Roles, 43, receiving 57 months. Two other conspirators, Sharon Curtis and Maureen Brown Little, are scheduled to be sentenced in March and January, respectively.
The crew used the stolen credit cards to make purchases at nearby stores, buying items for personal use and high-end merchandise that was resold. The total amount of goods, services, and extensions of credit obtained was $142,717.61, causing losses to or using the identities of between 10 and 50 financial institutions, businesses, and individuals.
Barner knew the credit cards were stolen and participated in the scheme, which was part of efforts by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to combat financial crimes.
Barner was ordered to pay restitution of $142,717.61 and faces five years of supervised release after her prison sentence. The case is a reminder of the importance of being vigilant in public places and protecting personal belongings.
The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, created in November 2009, has made great strides in investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, with more than 20 federal agencies and 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices participating.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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