Tianna Cosby, also known as "Mendoza," has been sentenced to 114 months in federal prison. Cosby, a resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland, pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, announced the sentencing in conjunction with several law enforcement officials, including Damon E. Wood, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Kathleen Woodson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, among others.
The case involved a fraud scheme running from March 2021 to August 2021. Cosby led a group of conspirators, including Marche Sisco, Tommi Cosby, Biniah Carter, and Zion Oluwademilade Adeduwon. The group stole checks from the mail, altered and falsified them, and then deposited them into bank accounts.
The scheme defrauded over 900 individuals, stealing more than 700 checks with a face value exceeding $5 million. Tianna Cosby obtained checks from USPS collection boxes and the Washington Network Distribution Center. The group recruited individuals known as "account mules" to deposit these fraudulent checks and withdraw the funds.
Cosby laundered the proceeds through various bank accounts, including accounts for shell companies, "Santos Detailing" and "Spectrum Dynamics," which she controlled. A search of Cosby's residence revealed luxury items purchased with proceeds from the scheme, including designer handbags and jewelry, valued at approximately $137,555. Law enforcement also found a BMW i8 valued at $114,296.02, containing checks totaling about $610,788.08.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the investigative work of the USPIS, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Prince George’s Police Department in this case. Hayes also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bijon A. Mostoufi, Ranganath Manthripragada, Elizabeth G. Wright, and John D’Amico, as well as Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber.
For queries related to this case, individuals can reach out to the Mega Victim Case Assistance Program. More information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office and resources for reporting fraud are available on its website.