The indictment alleges the couple claimed to own an international shipping business with barges to move ocean freight, and hired companies such as UPS Freight to make land deliveries for their customers. They’re accused of conspiring to take money in advance but failing to pay the delivery companies.

The wire fraud charges allegedly involve more than $52,500 in shipping orders placed with UPS between May and July 2009.

Dustin Griswold is held without bond. He was wanted on two fugitive charges from 2006 and 2009, has been convicted of assault and thefts, and faces up to 20 years in prison for each of 15 counts of wire fraud, U.S. Magistrate John M. Roper Sr. wrote in a detention order.

Dustin Griswold also is accused of committing similar crimes in other states, the judge said.

Roper gave Jennifer Griswold a $25,000 unsecured bond. He ordered her held pending approval of her living arrangements and other conditions of release.

The indictment said Harmoni also claimed to own numerous delivery trucks and had agreed to handle shipments for AWM Transportation.

Harmoni allegedly hired UPS for AWM’s deliveries, and asked AWM to send its payments to a Biloxi check-cashing business.

UPS tried to collect $29,000 in unpaid bills from Harmoni in July 2009 for the AWM shipments, but the couple allegedly gave UPS excuses such as the check was in the mail, their home had been burglarized, their computer files had been erased and their bank account had been frozen, according to court records.

Court papers allege the couple then notified AWM its freight was being held for ransom on a roadside until Harmoni Shipping received payment.

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Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com