CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA — Sandra Stevenson Marks, 42, of Charlottesville, a.k.a. ‘Catherine Marks,’ was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison after admitting to orchestrating a $1.2 million mail fraud and money laundering scheme under the guise of a psychic reading business on Seminole Trail. Prosecutors say Marks preyed on grieving, vulnerable clients, falsely claiming to possess divine powers and promising to lift curses in exchange for cash and valuables that were never returned.
According to court documents and a signed statement of facts, Marks told victims she was clairvoyant, had a ‘gift from god,’ and communicated with spirits—including a so-called ‘Prince of Illusion’—who revealed dark curses plaguing their families. She claimed these curses could only be broken through costly spiritual ‘work’ requiring clients to hand over thousands in cash, jewelry, and other valuables, which she promised to bury and later return after cleansing. None of it was ever returned.
Instead, Marks and her husband, Donnie Stephen Marks, 43, also of Charlottesville, kept and spent the money on themselves and their family. Donnie Marks entered a guilty plea today to one count each of mail fraud and money laundering during a separate hearing. Both defendants have agreed to pay $1.2 million in restitution to the victims they exploited over several years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber presented evidence that ‘Readings by Catherine’ operated as a front for systematic theft. Sandra Marks conducted readings—palm, tarot, astrological, and spiritual—while Donnie Marks managed the business’s finances. When one client’s funds were depleted, the couple would either rope in new victims or pressure past clients for more money, claiming prior ‘work’ had failed due to new spiritual threats.
‘These defendants found victims who were at some of the lowest points of their lives and took advantage of that grief for their own financial gain,’ said United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. ‘Today’s sentence shows the seriousness of the nature of this crime and I hope it brings some level of closure to the victims of this scheme.’
The investigation was led by a multi-agency task force including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and the Albemarle County Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber.
Related Federal Cases
- U.K. Broker Robert G. Ross Jailed for $467K Insurance Scam · Washington
- VDARE Founders Accused of $2M Charity Scam · West Virginia
- Aliquippa Woman Gets Time Served in Credit Card Scam · West Virginia
- Ambridge Conspirator Smith Gets 3-Year Prison Term for Stolen Credit Card Scam · West Virginia
- Donna Byrd Talley Convicted in 100K Hydrocodone Pill Scam · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
