Laticha Schroyer appeared in Dayton’s U.S. District Court on Thursday for her arraignment on one count of stealing public money or records.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Michael Newman said Schroyer could remain free on her own recognizance with no supervision.
Assistant U.S. attorney Alex Sistla read into the record that Schroyer could face maximum penalties of up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine plus three years of supervised release.
One of Schroyer’s attorneys, Anthony VanNoy, declined to comment after Thursday’s hearing.
INITIAL REPORT:
Despite claiming she couldn’t sit, stand or walk for more than five or 10 minutes at a time, a West Carrollton postal worker was seen on airport and amusement park surveillance traveling during two trips and riding the “Roohoo” ride at Orlando’s Sea World water park, according to an affidavit filed in Dayton’s U.S. District Court.
Laticha Schroyer, a letter carrier, was indicted on one count of stealing public money or records for allegedly defrauding the government of about $5,000 in workers’ compensation benefits and for unlawfully taking more than $1,000.
The indictment did not describe how or why the surveillance video was made available to federal prosecutors.
On May 5, 2015, Schroyer reported to a supervisor that she was injured while attempting to lift a heavy package, according to the indictment.
Two days later, a physician placed her on light duty and Schroyer submitted a claim, alleging she suffered an injury to her right side and pelvic area, documents indicate.
On May 13, 2015, Schroyer was placed on sedentary work at the USPS Dayton Call Center. On May 21, Schroyer had her sitting time reduced from six hours to two hours after she submitted a status report document.
On June 2, 2015, Schroyer was examined by Dr. Brian Ceccarelli, an orthopedic surgeon, who expanded her work restrictions after an examination and consultation.
“Based principally on the representations” made by Schroyer, Ceccarelli placed Schroyer on restrictions that she “could not sit, stand or walk for more than five to ten minutes at a time” and that Schroyer said she had trouble getting in and out of a postal vehicle.
On June 13, 2015, Schroyer and her boyfriend flew from Dayton to Orlando, Fla.. Schroyer “had a carry-on bag and walked without assistance through the Dayton International Airport,” the indictment said.
During a week-long vacation, Schroyer went to Aquatica, a water park at Sea World, and rode rides including the “Roohoo water ride,” where she was observed climbing several flights of stairs without assistance or difficulty.
On June 30, 2015, Schroyer was examined by Dr. Ceccarelli, who kept her on work restrictions. Between July 10 and July 20, 2015, Schroyer drove on vacation to places such as Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Arizona and South Dakota, where she visited Mt. Rushmore before flying to Indianapolis July 21, 2015 and driving back to Dayton with her boyfriend.
Dr. Ceccarelli ordered Schroyer back to work Aug. 4, 2015 after reviewing surveillance videos from the Dayton International Airport and Aquatica. On Aug. 5, 2015, Schroyer was placed on “non-pay status.”
No court dates have been set.
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