Warren man faces federal charges

A Warren man and a co-conspirator been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and could spend up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchnan announced Wednesday that Joshua Z. Atwell, 22, of 406 Hatch Run Rd., and Richard A. Raspatello, 54, of 1418 Million Dollar Highway, Kersey, Pa., have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to a press release from Buchnan's office, Atwell and Raspatello conspired to defraud financial institutions on numerous occasions throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Trabold, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendants.

The FBI and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilty, the press release emphasized.

When Buchnan's office was contacted for further information regarding the indictment, office personnel said no further information was available.