Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

22 hours ago

US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter

24 hours ago

US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports

1 day ago

Wall Street Falls as Dell, Nvidia Drive Tech Losses

1 day ago

US Denies Visas to Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly

1 day ago

Minneapolis Children Revealed Courage, Absorbed Fear During Church Shooting

2 days ago

Ford Recalls Nearly 500,000 Vehicles Over Brake Fluid Leak

2 days ago

Fresno-Bound Passenger Says Delta Attendant Slapped Him, Seeks $20M

2 days ago
Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Scam, Mail Theft
BILL NEW PROFILE IMAGE
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 4 years ago on
May 6, 2021

Share

It might’ve looked like easy money to career criminal Garrett Scott Wheelen, 30, of Fresno.

Run a pandemic unemployment scam. Steal letters from a U.S. mail truck.

But, as the saying goes, crime doesn’t pay.

On Thursday, Wheelen pleaded guilty to mail fraud and possession of stolen mail, acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert said in a news release.

Stole Credit Cards, Checks, Personal Identities

According to court documents, between August and November 2020, Wheelen pulled off an unemployment fraud. The state Economic Development Department approved some of the claims and Bank of America mailed debit cards containing unemployment benefits to an address under Wheelen’s control.

Wheelen also stole U.S. mail and harvested bank cards, financial information, checks, and personal identity information.

One example: On Sept. 4, 2020, he was in possession of California State driver’s licenses, credit cards, and checks that he had stolen from U.S. mail. At least some of this mail came into his possession when he broke into a mail truck in Fresno on Aug. 11, 2020.

Maximum Sentence Is 25 Years

At this point, it’s unknown how long Wheelen, a repeat offender, will spend in a federal penitentiary. That will be up to a judge and federal sentencing guidelines.

However, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years and a $500,000 fine.

In addition, Wheelen faces criminal charges in Fresno County Superior Court.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, California EDD’s Investigation Division, and the Reedley Police Department investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is the prosecutor.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Classic Cars Will Still Need a Smog Test in California After Lawmakers Reject Jay Leno Bill

DON'T MISS

Visalia Driver Arrested for DUI After Multiple Crashes and Pedestrian Injured

DON'T MISS

Dollar Trades Lower With Fed Cut In View, On Course For Monthly Drop

DON'T MISS

Visalia Semi Crash Injures Amazon Truck Driver After Red Light Collision

DON'T MISS

Evacuation of Gaza City Would Be Unsafe and Unfeasible, Says Head of Red Cross

DON'T MISS

A Goodbye Love Note to My Dog: Remembering My Best Friend Harriet

DON'T MISS

Most Trump Tariffs Are Not Legal, US Appeals Court Rules

DON'T MISS

New $250 Visa Fee Risks Deepening US Travel Slump

DON'T MISS

Prime Minister of Yemen’s Houthi Government Killed in Israeli Strike

DON'T MISS

California Schools Reverse Truancy Trends. Improving Reading Scores Could Be Next

UP NEXT

Visalia Semi Crash Injures Amazon Truck Driver After Red Light Collision

UP NEXT

A Goodbye Love Note to My Dog: Remembering My Best Friend Harriet

UP NEXT

Fresno County Garnet Fire Expands to 17,561 Acres, 8% Contained

UP NEXT

Lawsuit Links CA Teen’s Suicide To Artificial Intelligence

UP NEXT

Fresno Spotlight: Lawsuit in Killing of Homeless Man by Deputies Will Go to Trial

UP NEXT

Fresno County Needs Election Workers for November Redistricting Vote. Apply Now

UP NEXT

Hearing Ends Without Ruling On Trump’s Firing Of Fed Governor Cook

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

UP NEXT

Fresno Supervisor Nathan Magsig Says Crews Gaining Ground on Garnet Fire

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Curtis Wayne Recek

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Visalia Semi Crash Injures Amazon Truck Driver After Red Light Collision

1 hour ago

Evacuation of Gaza City Would Be Unsafe and Unfeasible, Says Head of Red Cross

1 hour ago

A Goodbye Love Note to My Dog: Remembering My Best Friend Harriet

1 hour ago

Most Trump Tariffs Are Not Legal, US Appeals Court Rules

1 hour ago

New $250 Visa Fee Risks Deepening US Travel Slump

2 hours ago

Prime Minister of Yemen’s Houthi Government Killed in Israeli Strike

2 hours ago

California Schools Reverse Truancy Trends. Improving Reading Scores Could Be Next

2 hours ago

High-Speed Rail Hits a New Snag as Lawmakers Reject Proposal to Expedite Construction

2 hours ago

Fresno County Garnet Fire Expands to 17,561 Acres, 8% Contained

2 hours ago

Lawsuit Links CA Teen’s Suicide To Artificial Intelligence

3 hours ago

Classic Cars Will Still Need a Smog Test in California After Lawmakers Reject Jay Leno Bill

By Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Ryan Sabalow CalMatters Jay L...

52 minutes ago

California lawmakers killed “Leno’s Law,” a bill to exempt classic cars from smog checks, despite Jay Leno’s support and bipartisan backing. (Shutterstock)
52 minutes ago

Classic Cars Will Still Need a Smog Test in California After Lawmakers Reject Jay Leno Bill

A Visalia man was arrested Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, for DUI and other charges after a series of crashes downtown left a pedestrian with minor injuries. (Visalia PD)
1 hour ago

Visalia Driver Arrested for DUI After Multiple Crashes and Pedestrian Injured

1 hour ago

Dollar Trades Lower With Fed Cut In View, On Course For Monthly Drop

An Amazon semi ran a red light and collided with another truck in Visalia early Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, seriously injuring the driver. (Visalia PD)
1 hour ago

Visalia Semi Crash Injures Amazon Truck Driver After Red Light Collision

Displaced Palestinians ride on a vehicle loaded with belongings as they flee from one area to another within Gaza City, amid an Israeli military operation, in Gaza City, August 29, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Evacuation of Gaza City Would Be Unsafe and Unfeasible, Says Head of Red Cross

Mell Garcia says a heartfelt goodbye to her dog Harriet after 13 years, cherishing their memories and celebrating the love they shared. (Special to GV Wire)
1 hour ago

A Goodbye Love Note to My Dog: Remembering My Best Friend Harriet

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Most Trump Tariffs Are Not Legal, US Appeals Court Rules

Tourists and pedestrians walk down Pell Street in the Chinatown neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, U.S., April 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

New $250 Visa Fee Risks Deepening US Travel Slump

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend