United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, May 2, 2008, that Renee Vogel, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh to six months' home detention and three years supervised release on her conviction of Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Counterfeit Checks.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Vogel, age 41.

According to information presented to the court by Assistant United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, Vogel and members of the conspiracy manufactured counterfeit checks drawn on various financial institutions involved in interstate commerce.  From October 2006 to December 2006, members of the conspiracy, including Vogel, passed the checks at various retail establishments.

Ms. Buchanan commended the Financial Crimes Task Force, United States Postal Inspectors, United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, and Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Vogel.