U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JARVIS WHEELER, age 28, of New Orleans, was charged today in a one-count Indictment for conspiracy to alter U.S. Postal money orders.
According to the Indictment, WHEELER conspired with others to buy U.S. Postal money orders in small amounts, typically $1.00. The money orders were then sent out of state where they were altered to much higher amounts. WHEELER, working with other conspirators, enlisted individuals to deposit the altered U.S. Postal money orders into local bank accounts. Once the money orders cleared, the funds were withdrawn and split by WHEELER and the co-conspirators.
If convicted, WHEELER faces up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and $100.00 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Postal Inspector Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
