Cheyenne Woman Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Failure to File a Tax Return

Carissa Joy Dunn-Pollard, age 45, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for  wire fraud and failure to file a tax return. U.S. District Court Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence  on June 21, 2023. Pollard also will be required to serve three years on supervised release following  her prison term and must pay $220,481.57 in restitution to the Cheyenne Little Theatre, $113,451.58  in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and a $125 special assessment. 

According to court documents, Pollard worked as the part-time bookkeeper Cheyenne Little Theater  Players Inc., a non-profit organization based in Cheyenne. From September 20, 2020 to May 30,  2022, Pollard devised and engaged in a scheme to obtain money by means of material false and  fraudulent pretenses and representations. As a result of this scheme, Pollard admitted to embezzling  at least $220,481.57 from the Theatre by causing ACH “payroll deposits” to be made into her bank  account from the Theatre’s bank account.  

In addition to the wire fraud, as of November 30, 2022, when the complaint in this case was filed,  Pollard was aware of her obligation to file tax returns with the IRS but failed to do so for tax years  2018-2021 as required by law. The amount of taxes she owed for the four-year period totaled  $113,451.58.  

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said that the sentence brings a measure of justice to the  Cheyenne Little Theater and members of the community affected by Pollard’s fraud. The U.S.  Attorney’s Office also thanked the U.S. Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field  Office, and the Cheyenne Police Department for their roles in the investigation which led to the successful prosecution of Pollard. 

“Ms. Dunn-Pollard used her position to defraud not only her employer, but the honest hardworking  Americans who pay their tax obligations every year,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, IRS  Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “This is a great example of IRS-CI’s expertise in  conducting federal tax investigations that also holds accountable those that commit crimes against  community institutions like the Cheyenne Little Theater.”