Sandra Mae Evans, Mail Fraud, West Virginia 2019

A Petersburg woman is facing the music for her role in a mail fraud scheme. Sandra Mae Evans, 62, was sentenced to five years of probation for her crimes.

The charges stem from 2018, when Evans opened an Individual Retirement Account at the Petersburg branch of Pendleton Community Bank. A check worth $82,170.50 was mailed from St. Louis, Missouri to the bank, which Evans then deposited into her account in August 2018. She knew the check was fraudulent at the time.

Evans admitted to requesting and successfully collecting withdrawals from the check totaling over $42,000. She then sent $18,000 in cash to an individual in Florida and $11,000 in cash to someone in Utah.

As a result of her actions, Evans was ordered to pay $35,808.05 in restitution to the bank. This amount represents the unrecovered amount of withdrawals made against the fraudulent check.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas, with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the West Virginia State Police providing investigative support.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided over the case.

Evans' sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of committing mail fraud. As our community continues to work towards a safer and more just society, it's essential to hold individuals accountable for their actions.

We will continue to bring you updates on this and other cases as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/grant-county-woman-sentenced-mail-fraud