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Trio admit stealing stamps from post offices

Tribune News Service

Two Reno residents and a transient pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony charges stemming from their involvement in the theft of more than $1,100 in stamps from post offices in Glenbrook and South Lake Tahoe.

Daniel Aaron Kipperman, 35, of Reno, and transient David Edwin Ramsey, 51, pleaded guilty to burglary. They face up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine at sentencing.

Sherri Spatz, 24, of Reno, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property. She faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.



According to reports, Ramsey and Kipperman — dressed in uniforms— entered the post offices on April 22-23, and attempted to purchase “Forever” stamps. One suspect is accused of paying for 12 rolls of stamps, with 100 stamps on each roll, with a check that bounced on April 22.

The next day, the second man came in wearing a uniform and attempted the same scam. The Glenbrook postmaster said there weren’t enough stamps to complete the transaction, then alerted colleagues in other post offices in South Lake Tahoe and Stateline about the incident. She observed the suspect getting into a rental car with the two defendants and copied the license plate.



When the defendants were pulled over in a traffic stop at a Stateline casino, authorities found a blue bag in the glove compartment with 26 rolls of stamps. The total value of the stolen stamps is $1,104.

According to the criminal complaint, Spatz drove the vehicle, and told the suspects how to get the stamps.

The defendants reached plea agreements with the district attorney’s office.

Multiple felony charges against the trio were dismissed in exchange for their guilty pleas. In addition, authorities won’t seek a habitual criminal enhancement against Kipperman.

District Judge Tod Young told Kipperman and Ramsey if they had prior burglary convictions, they were ineligible for probation. Ramsey has a prior conviction, and Kipperman said he has a conviction for attempted burglary in 2001.

Young emphasized that sentencing is up to him, regardless of a plea agreement. He set sentencing Sept. 17 for Ramsey and Kipperman; and Sept. 24 for Spatz.

They are in custody in Douglas County Jail. Kipperman’s bail is $13,500; Spatz, $16,390, and Ramsey, $55,000.


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