Two women from Chimayo, New Mexico, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a bank fraud scheme and the burglary of a Tesuque Pueblo gas station. According to court documents, Angelica Dominguez, 41, and Billy Jo Gussler, 44, executed a fraudulent check-cashing operation between January 2020 and August 2022 that resulted in over $40,000 in losses.
During this period, in May 2022, both individuals also broke into a gas station located on Tesuque Pueblo land by shattering a glass door. They stole lottery tickets and cigarettes. The loss from the burglary amounted to almost $2,500 when property damage was included. Authorities connected Dominguez to the theft after she attempted to cash stolen lottery tickets the day following the incident.
Neither Dominguez nor Gussler are members of any federally recognized Indian tribe.
The two pled guilty to one count of theft in Indian Country and seven counts of bank fraud each. Dominguez received a sentence of 33 months in prison while Gussler was sentenced to 37 months. Both will be under supervised release for three years after serving their sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.”
Investigations into the theft were conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with help from Tesuque Tribal Police and Quay County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service led inquiries into the fraud case with support from Santa Fe Police Department, Espanola Police Department, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Maria Stiteler are prosecuting these cases.
