Julie Michelle Shuler, 32, and Taylor Skiey Bradham, 26, both from Tallahassee, Florida, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a scheme targeting the Florida Prepaid College Program. Shuler received a 36-month sentence while Bradham was sentenced to seven months. Both previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Shuler also faced sentencing on four counts of mail fraud.
The announcement came from John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “These defendants sought to exploit Florida parents’ investments in their children’s futures for their own personal gain, but thanks to the diligent collaboration between my office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, their profiteering scheme has been dismantled and a prison cell awaits them,” Heekin said.
According to court records, Shuler and Bradham were employed by a company contracted for customer service and records administration for the Florida Prepaid College Program. The pair used their positions to access personal identifying information (PII) belonging to account owners and beneficiaries without authorization or knowledge of those individuals. They then changed ownership details on existing contracts and requested termination of those accounts so that refund checks would be sent to addresses they controlled.
Once refund checks were delivered by mail, Shuler and Bradham—along with others acting at their direction—cashed or deposited these funds into bank accounts under their control. The total amount stolen or attempted stolen was about $86,000.
“These defendants targeted students pursuing their education and stole money intended to pay for college,” said Bladismir Rojo, Acting Inspector in Charge at the Miami Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is relentless in pursuing anyone who exploits the financial system to steal money from unsuspecting victims.”
Following their imprisonment, both women will serve three years of supervised release. Restitution payments have also been ordered in favor of the Florida Prepaid College Program and its insurance carrier.
The investigation involved cooperation between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Postal Inspection Service; prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under guidance from the Attorney General. More information about this office can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
