WICHITA, KAN. - Six Wichita area residents were indicted Tuesday on federal identity theft charges, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
The indictment alleges the defendants used stolen mail to produce fraudulent documents including Kansas driver’s licenses, student ID cards and other forms of identification. The fraudulent IDs were used to pass forged checks at stores including Dillons and Walmart.
Named in the superseding indictment were the following:
Chanel K. Wiseman, 28, Wichita, Kan., four counts of possession of fraudulent documents, two counts of receiving stolen mail, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances.
John C. McMillan, 45, Wichita, Kan., one count of possession of fraudulent documents and one count of receiving stolen mail,
Shane A. Pitman, 31, Wichita, Kan., one count of possession of fraudulent documents, one count of receiving stolen mail, one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Brent A. Slover, 33, Wichita, Kan., one count of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of possession of fraudulent documents and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances.
Keri A. Tunnell, 41, Wichita, Kan., one count of possession of fraudulent documents and one count of receiving stolen mail.
Raina N. Zeiner, 22, Belle Plain, Kan., one count of possession of fraudulent documents and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Possession of fraudulent documents: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Receiving stolen mail: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Wire fraud: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Aggravated identity theft: A mandatory two years (consecutive) and a fine up to $250,000.
Unlawful possession of a firearm: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Abraham Xavier Lopez, 25, Chino Hills, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute approximately 4.4 pounds of marijuana. The crimes are alleged to have occurred May 25, 2017, in Minneola, Kan.
If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years and up to $4 million in fines on the methamphetamine count and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the marijuana count. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.
Maurice Pitman, 34, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred April 15, 2017, in Wichita, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million on each of the distribution counts, up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other firearm count. The Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
