Roller derby woman pleads guilty in airline tickets fraud

CINCINNATI (AP) — A member of an Ohio roller derby team who uses the nickname “Sadistic Sadie” has pleaded guilty to taking more than $400,000 in airline tickets while working for United Airlines.

Federal prosecutors say 34-year-old Mercedes Stafford of Cincinnati pleaded guilty to wire fraud Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Covington, Ky. Sentencing will be Sept. 27.

Prosecutors say Stafford fraudulently booked tickets supposedly for passengers whose flights were canceled or delayed between May 2007 to October 2009.

Authorities say the Cincinnati Rollergirls member created fake ticket numbers to get airline seats for family and friends who investigators do not believe knew of the fraud.