Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Mail Fraud

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls man charged with mail fraud was sentenced on November 7, 2011, by U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol. Bradley Whitsell, age 46, was sentenced to 24 months in custody, a $10,000 fine, three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $476,184.77 which the defendant has paid in full, and a $100 Victim Assistance Fund assessment.

Whitsell was indicted for mail fraud and wire fraud by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2011. Whitsell pled guilty to mail fraud on August 22, 2011, and count two of the indictment, wire fraud, was dismissed.

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 10 years beginning in 2000.

As part of his plea agreement, Whitsell agreed to make full restitution to SDN Communications of $476,184.77 which includes the amount he stole, plus the amount SDN spent on a forensic audit that uncovered the theft.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Koliner prosecuted the case.

Whitsell will be allowed to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshal on November 28, 2011.