STATESBORO, Ga. — A South Carolina couple who call themselves the “modern day Bonnie and Clyde” have pleaded guilty to stealing mail from mailboxes in three states to get access to their bank accounts.
Federal prosecutors say 33-year-old Michael Boatwright and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Michelle Napier, drove around Georgia, South Carolina and Florida between November 2020 and June 2021 taking mail from mailboxes.
They say that Boatwright and Napier used the mail to steal their personal information and get access to their victims’ bank accounts.
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“These thefts weren’t just a matter of swiping letters from private citizens’ rural mailboxes; Boatwright and Napier took their crimes several steps further by using that mail to steal sensitive information and individuals’ identities,” said U.S. Attorney David Estes. “They will now be held accountable for invading the privacy and financial security of innocent victims.”
According to prosecutors, the couple stole or attempted to steal thousands of dollars, totaling financial losses of nearly $1.5 million dollars.
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“Even the most cunning criminals can’t elude the team effort of the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies tasked with pursuing them,” said U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Craig Reno. “This case should serve as a deterrent to fraudsters that you can’t escape the long arm of the law.”
Boatwright pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bank fraud. Napier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both are waiting to be sentenced.
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The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is continuing their investigation out of their offices in Savannah, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla.
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