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United States of America v. Ashtin D. Schutjer
Date: 12-20-2024
Case Number: 24-CR-38
Judge: Robert F. Rossiter, Jr.
Court: The United States District Court for the District of Nebraska (Douglas County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office in Omaha
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Omaha, Nebraska Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Omaha, Nebraska criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Device Fraud
Council Bluffs Woman Sentenced to 14 Months & Ordered to Pay Over $150,000 in Restitution to Vulnerable Victim of Access Device Fraud
Ashtin D. Schutjer, age 36, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was charged with access device fraud.
Schutjer began working as a caregiver for an elderly married couple, Victim 1 and Victim 2, in 2014. Defendant was paid via check daily for her services. One of Schutjer's jobs was to run errands for the victims, and Schutjer had access to the victims' First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) debit card and account information. The FNBO card was the only card used by the victims.
The co-branded Chase/Amazon credit card (an access device) was opened under a derivative form of Victim 2's name at the beginning of 2018. Victim 1 was not listed on the account or as an authorized user of the card. Victim 2 passed away on August 3, 2018. Use of the Chase/Amazon card continued and accelerated after Victim 2's death. Records show purchases on the Chase/Amazon card include airline tickets (purchased for the defendant and her family), a Microsoft Xbox, Amazon purchases, and restaurant and grocery purchases in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where the defendant resides. Payments on the Chase/Amazon credit card were drawn from the Victim 1's FNBO checking account. Over a three-year period, 2018 through 2021, over $150,000 was charged to the Chase/Amazon credit card. None of the charges on the Chase/Amazon credit card were incurred by Victim 1.
Schutjer used the Chase/Amazon card to pay for purchases made on her Amazon customer accounts, listing Victim 2's name as the party to be billed at her own residential address. The order history showed multiple orders placed using the Chase/Amazon card and shipped to the defendant's home, the victims' home, and other addresses. Many of the items purchased were children's clothes and toys. Other items include an Apple laptop, shipped under Victim 1's name to Schutjer's home address; Apple AirPods, shipped to defendant's mother in Florida; and an Apple iPad, shipped to the defendant at her home address.
Victim 1's FNBO account was entirely depleted because of Schutjer's crime. In sentencing Schutjer to imprisonment for 14 months, Chief Judge Rossiter told her, "You took away everything this woman (Victim 1) had.â€
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Schutjer will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release. Schutjer was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $151,693.74.00 to Victim 1 as a result of her crimes.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Ashtin D. Schutjer?
The outcome was: Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Schutjer will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release. Schutjer was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $151,693.74.00 to Victim 1 as a result of her crimes.
Which court heard United States of America v. Ashtin D. Schutjer?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the District of Nebraska (Douglas County), NE. The presiding judge was Robert F. Rossiter, Jr..
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Ashtin D. Schutjer?
Plaintiff's attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office in Omaha. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Omaha, Nebraska Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Ashtin D. Schutjer decided?
This case was decided on December 20, 2024.