Date: 03-22-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Sanya Heathco Gutierrez

Case Number: 1:23-cr-00128

Judge: Terry F. Moorer

Court: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama (Mobile County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Mobile

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Mobile, Alabama criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Bank Fraud and Mail Theft.

Mobile Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Mail Theft

Sanya Heathco Gutierrez, 47, admitted to using the stolen personal identifying information of an elderly Saraland resident to create a Gmail account. Federal agents executed a search warrant for the contents of the Gmail account, which Gutierrez admitted that she used for fraudulent purposes. Specifically, in January 2023, Gutierrez used the Gmail account to open a Chime checking account and obtain a Chime debit card without the elderly victim’s knowledge or authorization. Gutierrez then fraudulently used the card at various merchants, including Cash App, Cricut, Hulu, Roku, and Walmart.

In April 2023, Mobile police received several reports of mail thefts in a residential neighborhood. Police obtained surveillance video capturing Gutierrez stealing mail from her white Chevrolet Impala. On April 13, 2023, officers arrested Gutierrez at a gas station in Mobile and seized a pile of stolen mail from the passenger seat of the Impala. Gutierrez confessed to stealing mail and attempting to cash fraudulent checks that she stole from the mail. Gutierrez allowed agents to search her house, where they found additional stolen mail and a gun with an obliterated serial number. Agents seized and obtained a warrant to search Gutierrez’s cell phone, which contained numerous messages that she sent regarding her involvement in mail theft, check fraud, and identity theft.

In addition to the 24-month prison sentence, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Gutierrez to serve a five-year term of supervised release, during which time she will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Gutierrez to pay $200 in special assessments.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of made the announcement.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service, and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case. The Jackson Police Department substantially assisted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 24 months in prison for bank fraud and mail theft. In addition to the 24-month prison sentence, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Gutierrez to serve a five-year term of supervised release, during which time she will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Gutierrez to pay $200 in special assessment

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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