Omaha Woman Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for a Conspiracy Conviction

United States Attorney Joe W. Stecher and the Iowa State Patrol, Omaha Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release: On May 29, 2009, Misty Mendicino was sentenced to eighteen months in prison by the Honorable Chief Judge Joseph F. Bataillon, United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, following her conviction for Conspiracy. Mendicino was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following her release from incarceration.

In September 2007, Mendicino was snared in an undercover sting operation wherein various law enforcement agencies operated an undercover store front operation in Council Bluffs, Iowa, known as “Chicago Imports.” One of the goals of the operation was to proactively target individuals who were in the business of stealing motor vehicles in the Council Bluffs and Omaha area. Car thieves would bring high priced stolen vehicles, usually SUV’s, to the storefront and sell them for pennies on the dollar.

In September 2007, Mendocino arranged to have her 2004 Mercedes Benz valued at approximately $17,000 taken to Chicago Imports and sold to undercover officers for approximately $2,400.00. Mendicino then reported her Mercedes stolen to the police and filed a false insurance claim with her insurance company. The insurance company, sensing a fraud, did not pay out on the claim.

Name of Defendant: Misty Mendicino
AKA:
Age: 34
City of residence: Omaha
Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Conspiracy. Up to 5 years in prison, $250,000 fine, three years supervised release.
Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Council Bluffs/Omaha
Location of Arrest: Omaha
Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: Potential loss, $17,200
Others Charged in Same Scheme:

Relevant Dates:

Date of Alleged Crime: September, 2007 - December, 2007
Federal Arrest Date: September 29, 2008
Date Complaint Issued: N/A
Indictment Returned Date: September 16, 2008
Initial Appearance Date: September 30, 2008
Plea or Trial and Date(s): Plea - December 11, 2008
Sentencing Date: May 29, 2009
Next Court Hearing Type and Date: N/A

Assigned Magistrate Judge: F. A. Gossett
Held without Bond, or Released from Custody:
In Continuous Custody Since:
Assigned District Court Judge: Joseph F. Bataillon
Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: RXM