TYLER, TX – United States Attorney John M. Bales announced today that LaWanda Maricle, a 55 year old Bivins, Texas woman, has been sentenced for a criminal activity related to identity theft during a hearing before United States Judge Michael H. Schneider.

           Maricle was charged with fraud in connection with identification information in a 1 count information filed on November 23, 2009 and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2009. Today, Maricle was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, a term of supervised release of 3 years, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $108,101.28.

           According to information presented in court, Maricle was the manager of Pioneer Credit Company, a loan company located in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Maricle, along with others, devised a scheme to fraudulently create new loan applications for customers who did not have an active loan, using the customer's name, social security number, and other identifying information. Maricle would approve the loan, issue a check in the name of the customer on Pioneer's account, sign the check on behalf of Pioneer, and then forge the signature of the customer on the check. Maricle used the funds for her own personal gain. As a result of the fraudulent activity, the total loss or intended loss, from all relevant conduct, was at least $200,000.

           This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan R. Jackson.

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