12°c Overcast
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Man pleads guilty to 37 mail fraud-related charges
A Winnipeg man has been sentenced to 28 months in prison — in addition to nearly a year of time already served — for a string of mail thefts that allowed him to live an enhanced lifestyle.
Michael Chief pleaded guilty Wednesday to 37 charges related to his crimes. Lawyers told court how Chief would rummage through mail boxes at apartments in various city neighbourhoods, then go through the documents and come up with fake identification to match cheques that he’d swiped.
Chief, 35, would then cash in, feeding not only a chronic drug and alcohol addiction but allowing him to bolster his bottom line and make a handful of lucrative purchases including a vehicle, gold chain and new clothing. In total, more than $10,000 was pocketed by Chief during a two-month spree, which he has now been ordered to repay.
He was busted in May 2011 after an ongoing investigation, which included surveillance video of him released by police to the public. A tipster identified Chief as the culprit, and he has been in custody since.
Chief is no stranger to the law, having been convicted on 22 separate occasions of 53 prior offences, court was told. He was out on bail for several other property-related crimes when he commenced his mail fraud.
A court-ordered Gladue report meant to study Chief’s Aboriginal upbringing paints an ugly picture of a childhood filled with abuse, neglect, violence and death. Several close family members have either killed or been killed, and Chief was subjected to brutal acts inflicted by so-called loved ones.
He began using drugs and alcohol, and sniffing solvents, at a young age and seemed destined for tragedy himself. Then along came the plan to make easy money, and suddenly Chief was living large, albeit for a short period of time.
"He has been failed by his heritage in many ways," said defence lawyer Sawchuk. "He’s inherited addictions, he’s inherited abuse. At some point in time people have to take ownership. Mr. Chief is at that stage in his life now."
Provincial court Judge Patti Umpherville said Chief was clearly the victim of an "alarming upbringing" but has to start taking responsibility for the path he’s heading down.
www.mikeoncrime.com
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- City's first urban reserve born
- City set to seize derelict hotel
- Crash victims were good friends, free spirits
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Witness changes story of killing
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Police identify slaying victims
- Apple trick on Ellen falls short for city woman
- City's first urban reserve born
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- The end of the credit card?
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- A child-custody catastrophe
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Co-worker 'sick' today? Maybe it's the $17M flu
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- '2 minutes after I read the winning numbers, I retired': Winnipeg lotto winner
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Parents, community relieved and elated as missing boy found safe
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- City's first urban reserve born
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Better PTSD treatment for RCMP urged
- Armed forces buys buses from Motor Coach
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- City chiropractor guilty of beating, sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend
- Athletes could sit under new school rules
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Fishing for fashion
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Core grocer a challenge: expert
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- City's first urban reserve born
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- City chiropractor guilty of beating, sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- North End proud
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Mental-health patients get own ER
- A child-custody catastrophe
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Earls on Main going, but new one coming
- Province introduces changes to rules governing landlords, renters
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Boost same-sex curricula: union
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.