(KDKA/Tucson News Now) -
A Pennsylvania woman admits she impersonated an Arizona rodeo star and set up a sham company to obtain 500 cell phones and $8,000 in saddles.
Authorities say 39-year-old Susan Rowan of Vanderbilt also hoped to meet men by pretending to be world champion barrel racer Sherry Cervi.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Rowan faces a July 2 sentencing after her federal mail fraud plea Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kitchen says Rowan ordered the cell phones from Sprint Communications, causing the company $430,000 in losses.
The newspaper reports from July 2008 until February 2010, Rowan ordered some 700 phones, and Sprint sent more than 500, Mr. Kitchen said. Rowan gave some to relatives and friends.
And they say she used Cervi's name to meet men and to obtain two custom saddles.
Public defender Linda E.J. Cohn says she disputes the prosecution's loss totals.
The real Sherry Cervi is an Arizona native and 11-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and two-time world champion, according to press reports.
