An 18-count indictment, that included  conspiracy, theft of mail, credit card fraud, bank fraud, counterfeit securities, aggravated identity theft, trafficking in methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of firearms, was handed down by an Anchorage Grand Jury against 45-year-old Jonathan Ortiz Escalante, on Monday according to U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler.

His co-conspirators were also indicted on the same day. Neasha Martha Moore, 24, of Anchorage, was charged in three counts of the indictment with conspiracy, bank fraud, and counterfeit security, for her role in cashing checks stolen from the mail. Ralph Edward Oliver, 20, of Anchorage, was charged in two counts of the indictment with conspiracy and attempted bank fraud for his role in attempting to cash checks stolen from the mail. John Fred Brittain, 23, of Anchorage, was charged in two counts of the indictment with conspiracy and theft of mail for his role in stealing mail in exchange for methamphetamine.

Escalante, also known as “Superman” by his associates, was the leader of the mail theft ring, and had solicited the others to steal mail as well as IDs which he would then alter, then use to cash stolen checks. In exchange for the stolen IDs and mail, “Superman” would supply the co-conspirators with methamphetamine. He would have those individuals then cash the checks, sometimes altered to show much larger amounts, using the altered identification.

Escalante also used stolen credit cards and ran up tremendous charges on them.

Escalante was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Escalante became a felon after being convicted of bank fraud in a Washington case. During his mail fraud/drug dealing scheme, Escalante had in his possession two Ruger 9mm pistols.

Escalante appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin McCoy on Friday, but the remaining conspirators have yet to be taken into custody.

For his part in the mail theft/drug dealing conspiracy, Escalante faces a minimum of five years, and as much as 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.

Moore and Oliver face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Brittain faces a maximum of five years and a $250,000 fine.

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