ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Marcella Samuels, 44, of Irondequoit, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to mail fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that between 2015 and 2020, the defendant created and sold forged State of Maine vehicle titles and registration documents to individuals attempting to title and register classic cars. As part of the scheme, Samuels advertised under the pseudonym “Titleman" in the periodical “Old Cars Weekly," offering title and registration services for owners of classic cars. The defendant used the US Mail to send payment and advertising applications to Old Cars Weekly. Individuals seeking to title or register vehicles would mail payments of $300 to $350 to the defendant, who would then forge and mail the documents back to customers. Over the course of the scheme, the Government believes Samuels collected approximately $292,000 in proceeds from the fraud.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, under the direction of Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder; and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 14, 2021, before Judge Geraci. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
