Two women from Chimayo have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a bank fraud scheme and the burglary of a gas station located on Tesuque Pueblo land. The sentencing follows an investigation that spanned multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to court documents, Angelica Dominguez, 41, and Billy Jo Gussler, 44, executed a scheme between January 2020 and August 2022 involving the theft and fraudulent cashing of checks intended for other individuals. The activity resulted in over $40,000 in losses.
During this period, the pair also broke into a Tesuque Pueblo gas station in May 2022 by shattering a glass door. They stole lottery tickets and cigarettes during the burglary. Their involvement was discovered when Dominguez attempted to cash stolen lottery tickets the following day. Losses from the burglary—including property damage—totaled nearly $2,500.
Neither Dominguez nor Gussler is affiliated with any federally recognized Indian tribe.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of theft in Indian Country and seven counts of bank fraud. Dominguez received a sentence of 33 months in prison; Gussler was sentenced to 37 months. After serving their sentences, each will be placed on three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “There is no parole in the federal system.”
The Bureau of Indian Affairs led the investigation into the gas station theft with help from Tesuque Tribal Police and Quay County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the bank fraud case with assistance from Santa Fe Police Department, Espanola Police Department, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Maria Stiteler are prosecuting these cases.
