HUNTINGTON, W.VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - West Virginia, Southern), published as received.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Della Palestino, 60, of Lexington, South Carolina, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between August 23, 2024, and September 26, 2024, Palestino visited four financial institutions in the Southern District of West Virginia and used a different individual’s personal identifying information, including a forged signature, to access that individual’s bank account without the individual’s authorization. Palestino withdrew $2,125 in Huntington on August 23, 2024, $21,920 in Spencer on September 19, 2024, $4,200 in Charleston on September 26, 2024, and $9,400 in Gilbert on September 26, 2024. As part of her guilty plea, Palestino admitted that she conducted all four fraudulent transactions and withdrew a total of $37,645 from the bank accounts of the four individuals. Palestina further admitted that she used a counterfeit passport card during one of the fraudulent withdrawals.

Palestino is scheduled to be sentenced on October 26, 2026, and faces a mandatory two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Palestino also owes $37,645 in restitution.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, the West Virginia State Police, the Huntington Police Department, the Charleston Police Department, and the Gilbert Police Department and the assistance provided by the West Virginia Fusion Center.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer D. Gordon is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-118.

###