Mt. Pleasant Man Faces More Prison Time for Failing to Appear for Sentencing

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney William N. Nettles stated today that Michael Derrick Peninger, age 50, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, was charged in a federal Indictment with failure to appear for sentencing, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 3146.

The Indictment alleges that on April 12, 2010, Peninger knowingly and willfully failed to appear for sentencing following his convictions for mail fraud and making a false statement to federal authorities.  After his jury trial, Peninger remained on bond, promising to appear for sentencing.  When Peninger later failed to show up for court, the United States Marshal Service, the FBI, and local officers tracked Peninger to a location on Daniel Island where he was arrested.

The maximum penalty that Peninger could receive is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for ten years, consecutive to the sentence that will be imposed upon him for his original convictions.

Mr. Nettles stated that the case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Marshal Service and the FBI, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.