New Mexico Women Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud Scheme and Burglary

Angelica Dominguez and Billy Jo Gussler, two women from Chimayo, New Mexico, were sentenced to prison for their roles in a bank fraud scheme that spanned over two years and a burglary of a Tesuque Pueblo gas station. The scheme, which caused more than $40,000 in actual loss, involved stealing and fraudulently cashing checks intended for other people. During this time, the pair also broke into the gas station in May 2022, causing nearly $2,500 in losses, including property damage. Dominguez was sentenced to 33 months' imprisonment, while Gussler received 37 months. Upon their release, both women will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Key Takeaways:

• Angelica Dominguez and Billy Jo Gussler, two women from Chimayo, New Mexico, were sentenced to prison for a bank fraud scheme and burglary.
• The bank fraud scheme, which occurred from January 2020 to August 2022, resulted in actual losses of over $40,000.
• The pair also broke into a Tesuque Pueblo gas station in May 2022, causing nearly $2,500 in losses, including property damage.
• Dominguez was sentenced to 33 months' imprisonment, while Gussler received 37 months.
• Both women will be subject to three years of supervised release upon their release from prison.
• The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tesuque Tribal Police, Quay County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Santa Fe Police Department, Espanola Police Department, and New Mexico State Police.
• Assistant United States Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Maria Stiteler are prosecuting the cases.

Statistics:

• Actual loss from bank fraud scheme: over $40,000
• Losses from burglary: nearly $2,500
• Imprisonment sentence for Angelica Dominguez: 33 months
• Imprisonment sentence for Billy Jo Gussler: 37 months
• Supervised release for both women: 3 years

Sources:

• [United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico]