WOMAN DUBBED “BOTOX BANDIT” BY MEDIA SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SERIES OF FRAUD AND BURGLARY CASES

WOMAN DUBBED “BOTOX BANDIT” BY MEDIA SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SERIES OF FRAUD AND BURGLARY CASES

SANTA ANA – A woman who gained media notoriety as the “Botox Bandit” for committing fraud in search of a wrinkle-free face was sentenced to five years in state prison and ordered to pay restitution for committing multiple burglaries, fraud and identity theft against several Orange County businesses and victims with different accomplices. Melissa Chesney, 46, Anaheim Hills, pleaded guilty Oct. 19, 2010, and today, Oct. 27, 2010, to 21 felony counts including nine counts of burglary, five counts of identity theft, four counts of forgery, two counts of grand theft, and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Kohl’s Department Store Burglary (Case # 09HF0289)

On Jan. 16, 2009, Chesney entered a Kohl’s department store in Irvine with co-defendant Allison Carson, 27, Garden Grove, and filled two carts with items including a mattress pad and clothing. She told employees they had paid for the items in both shopping carts while Carson left the store with goods totaling over $1,230. Chesney pleaded guilty today to one felony count each of grand theft and burglary for this case. Carson pleaded guilty July 31, 2009, to one felony count each of commercial burglary and grand theft and was sentenced to three years of formal probation and 120 days in jail.

Micro Center Burglary (Case # 09CF0665)

On Feb. 21, 2009, Chesney entered Micro Center in Tustin with co-defendant Marcy Daniels, 38, Cypress, and attempted to purchase check-making software and paper using a fake driver’s license. The check was not accepted by the store clerk. Daniels purchased several items and a DVD player totaling over $340 with a fraudulent check and driver’s license but accidentally left the DVD player at the store. Later that day, Chesney and Daniels returned to the store to pick up the DVD player where they were arrested by Tustin police officers. In this case, Chesney pleaded guilty today to one felony count each of burglary, forgery, possession of a fraudulent California driver’s license, and possession of methamphetamine. Daniels pleaded guilty today, Oct. 27, 2010, to one felony count each of forgery, burglary, possession of a fraudulent California driver’s license, and possession of a fraudulent check and was sentenced to 60 days of CalTrans and formal probation.

“Botox” Burglary (Case # 10NF2424)

On 17 different occasions between February 2009 and May 2009, Chesney shopped at stores and spas using fake names, identifying information, and fraudulent checks. Chesney used at least seven fraudulent identities at six different businesses. On March 27 and 28, 2009, Chesney and a female friend visited Luxe Med Spa in Yorba Linda for Botox treatments. The defendant used a fraudulent name, driver’s license and check to pay for over $3,300 in services and spa products. Chesney shopped at Sam’s Club, Tanya B, Three Friends and Nordstrom and fraudulently made purchases that totaled over $8,000 in goods and services. The Brea Police Department (BPD) investigated this case and arrested. Chesney on May 20, 2009. Chesney pleaded guilty Oct. 19, 2010, to six felony counts of burglary, five felony counts of identity theft, and one felony count each of forgery and grand theft.