MONROE – Stephanie R. Payne, 42, of Monroe, La., was sentenced on Monday,

July 9, 2012, following her guilty plea to one count of mail fraud related to the sale of stolen

merchandise on eBay, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced. Judge

Robert G. James handed down a sentence of 40 months incarceration and ordered

restitution of $130,939 to Gymboree and $140,068 to Limited Brands. Payne will begin the

service of her sentence in September 2012.

At the March 15, 2010, guilty plea, Payne admitted to stealing merchandise from

national retailers with locations in Monroe, which she then sold on eBay. Specifically,

Payne admitted listing 11,613 stolen items for sale on eBay from September 2006 to

February 2009, which sold for approximately $175,395.

Testimony at her sentencing hearing established that Payne lied to investigators and

the United States Attorney’s Office about the involvement of a Monroe police officer.

Payne’s sentence was enhanced because of the misrepresentations.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States

Postal Inspector and the Monroe Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant

United States C. Mignonne Griffing.