SAN
ANTONIO WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN WEDDING CRASHER CASE
United
States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that thirty-one year old
Robin Neafie of San Antonio, Texas, plead guilty to federal access device
charges for carrying out a scheme to defraud guests at local weddings.
A sentencing date has not been set.
Noting that Ms. Neafie ruined what should have been one of the happiest
occasions for many local couples, United States Attorney Johnny Sutton
stated, “Wedding crashers are not just actors in a movie but are real
thieves among us. By pleading guilty today she is taking a step down the
aisle to being accountable for her crimes.”
During her court hearing, Ms. Neafie admitted that she stole credit cards
from purses in a church choir room while her victims participated in a
wedding. She also stole wedding gifts from the church.
A state search warrant executed at her apartment revealed numerous stolen
credit cards and several “San Antonio Life” sections of the Express-News
newspaper with lists of weddings. Some of the wedding announcements were
circled. A Yellow Pages was book marked to the listings of the local churches.
Over 150 gift cards from various businesses and restaurants were located,
along with electronic devices like an IPOD, Palm Pilot, two digital cameras,
and a computer.
Neafie’s scheme began in July 2002, and was carried out until June 2006
where she knowingly used over 50 access devices (credit cards) to defraud.
The defendant planned ahead by reviewing public wedding announcements
in the newspaper to decide which wedding she would attend. Wedding participants
often reported a well-dressed woman hanging around the room where the
bridal party prepared for the wedding. While the weddings were in progress,
the well-dressed Neafie entered the room where the bridal party left their
valuables during the service. She would go through the wallets and purses
left unattended by the bridal party during the wedding and steal credit
cards, cash, and other valuables. She used the stolen credit cards to
purchase various items. All told, the investigation turned up 52 different
stolen credit cards in Neafie’s possession. Approximately 27 victims were
identified. Sentencing has been set for .
This case was investigated by the Live Oak Police Department and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted for the government by
Assistant United States Attorney Tom Moore.
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