Jennifer Tinker, a 41-year-old resident of Ellicott City, Maryland, has admitted guilt to a federal charge of wire fraud. The announcement was made by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno from the FBI's Baltimore Field Office.
The guilty plea details how Tinker misappropriated over $1 million from her employer, a real estate agency, between January 2020 and November 2023. She accomplished this by moving funds through various methods including wire transfers, Zelle payments, checks, and ACH transactions into her personal bank accounts. To cover up the fraudulent activity, she fabricated recipients on transfer documents and altered her employer’s accounting records.
Tinker used the embezzled money for personal luxuries such as vacations, concert tickets to see Taylor Swift, and purchasing five vehicles.
The legal consequences for Tinker could be severe; she faces up to 20 years in prison followed by possible lifetime supervised release. Her sentencing is set by U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson for April 10, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Barron praised the FBI's efforts in the investigation and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Wenner for prosecuting the case.
For further information regarding the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and its community resources, individuals are encouraged to visit their official website.