Tonya M. Reid, age 38, of Anderson, was sentenced today in federal court in Anderson, for conspiracy to commit fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson sentenced Reid to 60 months imprisonment, ordered that she pay $21,272.97 in restitution, and placed her on three years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson City Police Department, and other local agencies had undertaken a long-term investigation into the theft of mail in and around Anderson County.
It was discovered that an organization existed that regularly stole mail from residential boxes, sorted the stolen mail for checks and person identifying information, created altered or counterfeit checks, and created false identification documents. Multiple counterfeit and altered checks were passed throughout the upstate. Most of the fraud was conducted in an effort to obtain funds to purchase methamphetamine.
Reid was a leader of an organization of more than 20 individuals. She served as a clearing house for stolen mail and aided other co-conspirators in creating and cashing counterfeit checks. Her co-conspirators are awaiting sentencing or trial.
The case was investigated by agents of United States Postal Inspection Service, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson City Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
