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, engaged in a check fraud operation between January 2020 and August 2022. The pair stole and cashed checks meant for other individuals, resulting in losses exceeding $40,000.
In May 2022, while still involved in the fraud scheme, Dominguez and Gussler broke into a gas station on Tesuque Pueblo land by shattering a glass door. They took lottery tickets and cigarettes valued at nearly $2,500 including property damage. Authorities connected them to the theft after Dominguez attempted to cash some of the stolen lottery tickets the following day.
Both defendants are not members of any federally recognized Indian tribe.
Dominguez and Gussler pleaded guilty to one count of theft in Indian Country as well as seven counts of bank fraud each. Dominguez received a sentence of 33 months in prison; Gussler was sentenced to 37 months. After serving their sentences, both will be placed under supervised release for three years.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs led the investigation into the gas station burglary with help from Tesuque Tribal Police and Quay County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service handled the bank fraud investigation with assistance from local law enforcement agencies including Santa Fe Police Department, Espanola Police Department, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Maria Stiteler prosecuted the cases.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.
