A Sacramento resident faces serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted her on multiple counts relating to stolen mail and fraudulent activities, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert's office. Stephanie Lynn Fahlgren, 47, could spend up to 35 years in prison if convicted on all counts, which include possession of stolen mail, possession of a mail key or lock unlawfully, and the unauthorized possession of more than 15 access devices, such as counterfeit debit or credit cards.
The indictment, as detailed by U.S. Department of Justice, stems from an incident on March 20, wherein Fahlgren was found with both stolen mail and mail keys or locks, in addition to the fraudulent cards. This array of accusations paints a troubling picture of the lengths to which individuals will go to exploit the personal and financial information of an unsuspecting public.
Each charge carries a hefty fine of up to $250,000 in addition to the potential prison time. The work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service brought Fahlgren's alleged activities to light, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Cárdenas assigned to prosecute the case. While these charges hint at a disregard for the security and privacy of those affected, it is essential to remember that the accused is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
Under federal law, the maximum statutory penalty Fahlgren faces ranges from five years in prison for the possession of stolen mail to 20 years for the possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices. Sentencing, however, remains in the hands of a district court judge, who must consider statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which account for a variability of mitigating circumstances.
