PITTSBURGH – An Ohio resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The two-count indictment, returned on February 7, named Atticus Sliter-Matias, 27, of South Euclid, Ohio.
According to the indictment presented to the court, from around June 2015 to on or about July 5, 2016, Sliter-Matias advertised electronic devices or other items for sale on numerous eBay accounts. However, Sliter-Matias mailed empty packages through the United States Postal Service to the purchasers instead of the purchased merchandise. Sliter-Matias often used the proceeds from these fraudulent sales to purchase gold or silver bars and coins.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.