SAN FRANCISCO - Tyler Goforth and Jesslyn Felix were indicted on charges they engaged in a scheme to steal the mail from a San Francisco condominium, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Rafael Nuñez. The indictment was filed Jan. 15, 2019, and unsealed today.
According to the indictment, from August of 2017 to February of 2018, Goforth and Felix, both 35 and residing in Walnut Creek, entered a 600-condominium apartment complex in San Francisco to steal the residents’ mail. The defendants allegedly used an electronic key fob to enter the complex and then used a tool to unlock and open the door to the residents’ mailboxes. The defendants then activated credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards that they stole from the mailboxes to make purchases for their own benefit.
The indictment describes a number of purchases made with the stolen credit, debit, and gift cards. For example, the indictment alleges that between Dec. 12, 2017 and January 9, 2018, over $800 was used to make purchases at the Sheraton Sonoma County Hotel and another $700 was used to make purchases at CVS pharmacies and Target stores. Further, the indictment alleges on Feb. 15, 2018, the defendants were in possession of more than five authentic drivers licenses that were not issued for their use.
In sum, each defendant is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 1343; six counts of theft of mail, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1708; one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A; and one count of possession with intent to use or transfer five or more documents or authentication features, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(3).
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and $250,000 on each fraud and conspiracy count, 5 years in prison and $250,000 on each mail theft count; 5 years in prison on the false document count, and a mandatory 2 years in prison if convicted of the aggravated identity theft count. In addition, the court also may order an additional term of supervised release, fines or other assessments, and restitution, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Goforth made his initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beeler. His next scheduled appearance is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2019, before Magistrate Judge Beeler for a detention hearing. Felix currently is in state custody on unrelated charges; her initial appearance has not yet been scheduled.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Weingarten is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
