Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Jonathan Whalley, a 52-year-old resident of St. Albans, Vermont, has been sentenced to 74 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentencing took place on September 2, 2025, before United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Whalley had previously pleaded guilty to both charges. Judge Geraci imposed a 50-month sentence for mail fraud and an additional mandatory consecutive term of 24 months for aggravated identity theft, resulting in the total sentence.
Court records indicate that Whalley acquired identification documents belonging to a Vermont man after the victim’s wallet was stolen from his vehicle. Using these documents, Whalley traveled to Georgia where he purchased six vehicles—including several new cars and ATVs—worth more than $224,000 through fraudulent transactions. He also committed fraud involving banks and insurance companies.
On June 8, 2022, while back in Vermont with one of the fraudulently obtained vehicles—a Chevrolet Silverado—Whalley fled from law enforcement during a traffic stop. During his escape, he dragged an officer over ten feet and endangered pedestrians by driving at speeds exceeding three times the speed limit. In determining the sentence, Judge Geraci referenced Whalley's lengthy criminal record consisting of 34 convictions since 1991.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher stated: “I commend the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles’ Enforcement and Safety Division (Investigative Section) and Homeland Security Investigations.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corinne M. Smith and Jonathan A. Ophardt prosecuted the case. Whalley was represented by Assistant Federal Defender Charles N. Curlett, Jr.
