Description: Bangor, Maine criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud and attempted wire fraud.

From June 2021 to April 2023, Aaron Hoster, 51, removed UPC labels from low-cost items and applied them to higher-priced items which he then purchased. Hoster defrauded multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Maine, cheating the retailers out of more than $51,000. In one instance, Hoster purchased a $439 cordless finish nailer kit, paying just $19.98 by scanning a price code for trimmer line. In another example, he scanned a code for an $11.36 chrome-plated plastic tailpiece despite purchasing a powered drain cleaner valued at $429.

Hoster faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated these cases.

WIRE FRAUD; 18:1343
(1)
ATTEMPTED WIRE FRAUD; 18:1343 AND 1349
(2)

Outcome: 09/11/2023 37 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by AARON D HOSTER (mmy) (Entered: 09/11/2023)
09/11/2023 38 Minute Entry for proceedings held before JUDGE LANCE E. WALKER: Waiver of Indictment entered and Arraignment held as to AARON D HOSTER (1) as to Count 1, and 2. Guilty Plea entered as to Count 1, and 2. Plea accepted. Defendant is remanded to the custody of the of the U.S. Marshal's Service. (Court Reporter: Cathy Ford) (mmy) (Entered: 09/11/2023)
09/11/2023 Set Deadlines as to AARON D HOSTER: Per Rule 12.4 Corporate Disclosure or Organizational Victim Statement due by 10/10/2023. (mmy) (Entered: 09/11/2023)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: