Sioux Falls Man Charged with Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for mail fraud and wire fraud.

Bradley Whitsell, age 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2011, for mail fraud and wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Whitsell, a former management employee of SDN Communications, used his various oversight positions to embezzle funds totaling approximately $392,111.65 from SDN over approximately ten years beginning in 2000.

He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on Tuesday, June 14, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years of imprisonment on each count and/or a $250,000 fine. The charges are merely accusations, and Whitsell is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Koliner is prosecuting the case. Whitsell was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.