Joplin couple pleads guilty to bank fraud conspiracy

(KOAM) - Emily Anna-Lee Sturgis, 31, and Aaron M. Blake, 28, both of Joplin, Mo., have pleaded guilty to charges related to a scheme involving bank and wire fraud, as well as identity theft. The pleas were entered before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool.

Sturgis pleaded guilty on Monday, July 22, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, and one count of bank fraud. Blake, who previously entered a guilty plea on February 13, 2024, admitted to the same charges and an additional count of aggravated identity theft.

The pair admitted to conspiring from December 2022 to January 26, 2023, to steal mail from residential mailboxes and porches in Joplin. Among the stolen items were credit cards, debit cards, checks, cash, jewelry, and documents containing personal identifying information, including names, Social Security numbers, and bank account details. Notably, the stolen items included Pandora jewelry and a Christmas card containing a $500 check.

Using the stolen credit cards, Sturgis and Blake made unlawful purchases. Blake, with Sturgis's assistance, used the stolen personal information to open fraudulent credit card and bank accounts, subsequently making unauthorized transactions through these accounts.

The fraudulent activities attempted to defraud at least $13,845 from victims, with a total of at least $12,482 successfully obtained.

Under federal law, Sturgis and Blake each face a maximum of 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Blake also faces a mandatory additional sentence of two years. Sentencing will be determined by the court following a presentence investigation conducted by the United States Probation Office.

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