The following is a press release from the office of US Attorney, Tennessee, Western District

(March 25, 2011)

Memphis, TN – Michael Bell, 34, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Bernice Donald to three (3) years incarceration for his involvement in the theft and illegal use of United States Postal Service-issued Voyager gas cards, announced United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Edward L. Stanton, III. Bell pleaded guilty in December 2010 to a felony charge of Access Device Fraud. According to the Indictment, from November 2007 until December 2007, Bell, being aided by others, used stolen United States of America Government fleet credit cards and obtained more than $1000.00 in merchandise and cash by use of the cards.

The investigation revealed that the cards were stolen out of trucks on the Memphis lot of Pat Salmon and
Sons, Inc.– a company contracted to carry U.S. Mail. The cards were then used, without authorization, at area gas centers to purchase large amounts of fuel, which was sold to tractor-trailer drivers for discounted cash amounts totaling approximately $200,000. When arrested on December 11, 2007, Bell was found to be in possession of several of the stolen gas cards.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service- Office of Inspector General and the Auto Cargo Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hall.