A Franklin County woman has pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving bank and check fraud using stolen mail, according to federal prosecutors in St. Louis.
Miranda Burgess, 30, admitted on Wednesday to all 13 counts against her. These include one count of aggravated identity theft, three counts of possession of stolen mail, and nine counts of bank fraud.
According to the plea agreement, starting as early as February 1, 2022, Burgess obtained mail that had been stolen from a Missouri resident. The stolen mail included details about the victim’s bank accounts. Burgess used this information to transfer funds from the victim’s account into her own accounts with Acorns, Green Dot, M1 Finance, Square, and Wave. She initiated $76,270 in fraudulent electronic transfers; $50,000 was later returned to the victim.
Burgess also deposited counterfeit checks with the victim’s name and forged electronic signature and account number. This resulted in a loss of $1,200 for the victim.
Burgess is scheduled for sentencing on December 3. According to prosecutors: “Bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million or both prison and fine and possession of stolen mail matter carries a penalty of up to five years and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to the prison sentence for all other charges.”
She will also be ordered to repay the money.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated alongside local law enforcement agencies including the Arnold Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting the case.
