Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Casey A. Raines, age 38, of Greenville, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for her involvement in a mail theft conspiracy, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, imposed the sentenced, ordered that Raines pay $7,581.32 in restitution, and sentenced her to three years of supervised release once she has completed the sentence in the Bureau of Prisons.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Raines and others stole mail in and around Greenville County in an effort to obtain bank account numbers, routing numbers, and identification information. Once in possession of this material they would create counterfeit checks and negotiate them to obtain money for methamphetamine.
On June 10, 2016, a search warrant was executed in connection with this investigation at the Greenville home of co-conspirator Cary L. Wright, age 38, who has already been sentenced to 51 months in the Bureau of Prisons for his participation in the offense. Items recovered from the residence included, but was not limited to, numerous pieces of mail belonging to others, checks stolen from the mail, financial transaction cards, blank check stock, counterfeit checks, and a computer used for check counterfeiting.
Records recovered showed that Raines opened multiple bank accounts which were used by the conspiracy to deposit stolen and counterfeit checks. Raines and the other would then withdraw the money and split the proceeds among themselves.
The case was investigated by agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and the Greenville City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
