Anchorage Woman Sentenced to 42 Months for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that an Anchorage woman was sentenced yesterday to 42 months in prison for conspiring to obtain stolen checks and then forging and negotiating the stolen checks at different banks and grocery stores in Anchorage.

Victoria Kosetatino, 25, of Anchorage, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, who also ordered Kosetatino to pay full restitution.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward, who prosecuted the case, Kosetatino and Jeremy Tamapolu conspired together to obtain checks stolen from vehicle break-ins, home burglaries, and mail theft, and then forge and negotiate the stolen checks at different banks and grocery stores in Anchorage. They also utilized bank accounts opened in other individuals’ names to pass the stolen and forged checks. Kosetatino was released from a state sentence for similar conduct in November 2015, and started her fraudulent conduct in this case in December 2015, continuing to April 2016, when she was apprehended. Kosetatino and Tamapolu obtained approximately $9,000 before they were apprehended in this case.

At sentencing, Chief Judge Burgess noted that Kosetatino is a serial fraudster that had not been deterred by her prior convictions and sentences for fraud. Chief Judge Burgess also noted the significant impact to the safety of the community from the nature of the thefts and the identity theft.

Jeremy Tamapolu is scheduled for trial on March 6, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Loeffler commends the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Anchorage Police Department for the investigation of this case.