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Press Release

Textbook Theft Duo Targeted University of Wisconsin Schools

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin

United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 10, 2018, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Ryan Scott Lewis (age: 35) and Genisis Garcia Abellar (age: 35) both of Houston, Texas.

According to the indictment, Lewis and Abellar stole textbooks from instructors’ offices at several University of Wisconsin System schools, including: University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, University of Wisconsin – Stout, and University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Lewis and Abellar then shipped the textbooks to a business in the State of Texas, which in turn sold the books to college students. The duo are also alleged to have carried out this scheme at colleges in Minnesota, North Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington State.

Both face charges of conspiracy to transport stolen goods and interstate transportation of stolen property, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 2314. If found guilty of the charges, Lewis and Abellar each face up to 15 years’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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Updated July 10, 2018