Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published September 30, 2008 at 9:20 AM | Page modified September 30, 2008 at 9:20 AM

E-mail article     Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Son-of-Haggard impersonator pleads guilty

A Seattle man who impersonated the son of country music legend Merle Haggard has pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft.

MISSOULA, Mont. —

A Seattle man who impersonated the son of country music legend Merle Haggard has pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft.

Federal prosecutors say Mark G. Sams, while impersonating Noel Haggard, chartered a private jet to Mexico and then charged the $61,000 bill to a Whitefish acquaintance's credit card.

Sams told the victim he needed to go to Mexico to check out an opportunity to manage a small resort near Puerto Vallarta.

Sams along with his roommate, the victim and the victim's mother went on the June 2007 trip, which included stops in Arizona, Las Vegas and Los Cabos, Mexico, before arriving in Puerto Vallarta.

When the Whitefish man's credit card bill arrived at the end of the month it included a $61,000 charge for the chartered jet.

Sams was arrested in July 2007 in Ronan for impersonating Noel Haggard and signing autographs and charging people to take pictures with him. Sams denied charging people for pictures.

On Sept. 25, the Sams, 50, pleaded guilty in Missoula to federal charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy scheduled Sams' sentencing for Jan. 9. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. A conviction for aggravated identity theft comes with a minimum two years imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence.

---

Information from: Daily Inter Lake, http://www.dailyinterlake.com

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

The Fund For The Needy: Seattle Times Fund For The Needy offers opportunity to give

Child-support error costs nearly $21,000

Danny Westneat: Bonus for supe with a B minus?

Fund For The Needy donations make a difference

Nicole Brodeur: You have more to spare than you think you do

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Interview with New Moon actors
Full interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:
Advertising