Thompson Falls Man Sentenced for Federal Timecard Fraud After GPS Tracking Exposes Scheme

THOMPSON FALLS, MT — A former U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $13,923.77 in restitution for falsifying time and attendance records while his government-issued patrol vehicle remained parked at his home.

Nathan J. Snead, 48, of Thompson Falls, pleaded guilty in April to theft of government money after investigators used GPS tracking technology to expose his timecard fraud scheme.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen handed down the sentence Tuesday in Missoula, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.

GPS Technology Exposes Fraud

The investigation began after Forest Service supervisors noticed Snead’s productivity levels were significantly lower than other law enforcement officers from 2021 through 2023. His incident reports and violation notices lagged behind similarly situated officers, prompting closer scrutiny of his work patterns.

On May 2, 2023, agents installed a GPS tracker on Snead’s government-issued patrol vehicle to monitor his movements. The tracking data revealed damning evidence: Snead’s patrol vehicle remained stationary at his house during hours he claimed to be working.

“On several occasions, Snead certified on his Time and Attendance Record he worked an 8-hour regular shift. However, his patrol vehicle remained stationary at his house for the entire 8 hours,” prosecutors stated in court documents.

Overtime Claims While Vehicle Sat Idle

As a Forest Service law enforcement officer, Snead was required to work 40 hours of regular time per week and was eligible for “administratively uncontrollable overtime” — premium pay designed to compensate officers for irregular and unscheduled overtime duty.

Each pay period, Snead documented his regular and overtime hours on official records, signing certifications stating the information was “true and accurate.” For overtime claims, he provided case numbers and justifications, certifying that “official duties were performed as described above and were administratively uncontrollable.”

However, GPS data showed Snead claimed overtime hours when his patrol vehicle was stationary at his house for much of his regular shift and for the entire period of claimed overtime.

Federal Oversight in Action

The case demonstrates how federal agencies use technology and performance metrics to detect potential misconduct among employees. The Forest Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation alongside the agency’s Law Enforcement and Investigations division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Clarke prosecuted the case, which resulted in Snead’s guilty plea to theft of government money.

The sentencing reflects the Justice Department’s approach to federal employee fraud cases, balancing accountability with recognition that Snead cooperated by pleading guilty rather than proceeding to trial.