Indictment announced
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced Tuesday that Candis Matson of Everson has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of passing forged securities of the United States. The 12-count indictment named Matson, age 44, of 210 Maple Street, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, between April 11, 2001, and May 18, 2001, Matson passed 12 forged United States savings bonds, knowing that the endorsements on the savings bonds were forged.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway, who presented the case to the grand jury, said that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for each count of the indictment.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of Matson.
The United States Secret Service, in conjunction with detectives from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in the case.
Buchanan said an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
“A person is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Buchanan.