Two Sacramento Men Sentenced to Years in Prison for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft Tied to Postal Thefts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Carlos Aranda, 41, and Daniel Hunt, 38 both of Sacramento, were sentenced today to 66 and 57 months in prison, respectively, for conspiracy, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft connected to postal thefts, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Aranda, Hunt, and others engaged in a conspiracy to steal postal locks, create postal keys, and steal mail, all in order to obtain stolen checks. The conspirators periodically gathered together at motel rooms and elsewhere to alter or “wash” stolen checks together. The conspirators then took the checks and attempted to negotiate, deposit, and/or cash them. In total, conspirators were responsible for nearly $250,000 in check fraud.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Elliot C. Wong prosecuted the case.