William S. Thompson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Joshua Sneed, a 35-year-old resident of Bluefield, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to possession of stolen money. The plea was entered in Bluefield, West Virginia.
Court documents reveal that on March 15, 2024, Sneed was working as a title clerk at an automotive sales and service business in Bluefield when a customer bought a 2008 Bentley Continental for $37,761. This amount was initially deposited into the business's safe. On March 27, 2024, Sneed used his access to the company's computer system to alter the transaction from cash to credit card purchase. He admitted to changing the purchase details to hide the fact that he did not deposit the money into the business’s bank account but instead took it home.
Sneed also prepared two bank deposit slips for large sums—$60,100 on March 27 and $60,222.10 on April 9—but admitted that neither was deposited with the bank. These actions were attempts to cover up his theft over several months.
On April 9, Sneed attempted unsuccessfully to change back the record of the Bentley sale in the computer system due to restrictions on editing past transactions. His employment was terminated on April 15.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2025. Sneed faces up to ten years in prison along with three years of supervised release and could be fined $250,000. He is also required to pay at least $120,322.10 in restitution.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston who praised the investigation conducted by the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber oversaw the hearing while Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is handling prosecution duties.
Further information about this case can be accessed via PACER using Case No. 1:25-cr-14 or through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern District of West Virginia's website.
