MINNEAPOLIS-A federal indictment unsealed yesterday charges a 32-year-old Moorhead man in connection with a series of mail thefts in several Minnesota counties in the fall of 2012. The indictment charges Justin Lee Feldt with one count of theft of mail, four counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of access device fraud. The indictment was unsealed following Feldt’s initial appearance in federal court.
The indictment alleges that between October and November 2012, Feldt stole mail containing blank credit card cash advance checks. Allegedly, he subsequently altered the checks to make them payable to him and then deposited them, later withdrawing the funds. The indictment also alleges that between October 25 and 27, 2012, Feldt used a stolen debit card to purchase various items.
If convicted, Feldt faces a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each count of bank fraud, ten years for access device fraud, five years for mail theft, and a mandatory two years for aggravated identity theft. Any sentence would be determined by a federal district court judge.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS") and the sheriff’s offices for Crow Wing, Otter Tail, Pine, and Scott counties. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Kokkinen.
For more information on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, visit https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/fraudschemes/mailtheft/IdentityTheft.aspx. The IRS-Criminal Investigations also urges citizens to review the Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft, which can be found at http://www.irs.gov.
For tips on how to prevent mail theft, visit https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/fraudschemes/mailtheft/MailTheft.aspx.
An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
