A man who traded methamphetamine to addicts for stolen mail and checks was sentenced in court Wednesday.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline sentenced 45-year-old Jonathan Ortiz Escalante to 14 years in prison for 16 counts of fraud, identity theft, drug distribution and possessing a firearm as a felon, according to a statement from the District Attorney’s office.
Escalante, also known as “Superman,” pleaded guilty in March as part of a plea deal.
Court documents show Escalante agreed to give meth to addicts and homeless people in Anchorage in exchange for stolen mail that held checks or credit cards and other banking information. He would also have some of the individuals involved in his scheme cash checks and purchase items using the stolen cards. He managed to steal more than $40,000.
Along with his prison sentence, he will be required to pay the recommended restitution and special assessment fee, totaling more than $45,000, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Steward.
Escalante was also convicted in Washington and California for similar crimes.
Four co-conspirators Escalante recruited to steal mail and cash checks for him have been convicted and sentenced: Neasha Moore, John Brittain, Ralph Oliver and Denae Sullivan.
KTVA 11′s Kate McPherson contributed to this report.
