2 days ago
Ringleader of bank fraud and identity theft scheme sentenced to federal prison
GEORGIA () — The final defendant and ringleader of a bank fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme involving stolen checks and a fake online recruiting website was sentenced to federal prison today.
Jalen Tylee Hill, aka 'Roscoe Hill,' 26, of Americus, was sentenced to serve 81 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office received a complaint from a local church in December 2021 about mail theft and forged checks. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that numerous checks had been stolen out of mailboxes at residential and commercial locations in Georgia. The checks were then forged and deposited into other bank accounts.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sumter County Sheriff's Office arrest man on multiple counts of bank fraud; identity theft
Investigators discovered that Hill directed the scheme and would recruit people via Facebook and determined that in six months, Hill stole hundreds of pieces of mail, participated in at least 68 incidents of bank fraud, and unlawfully used debit cards belonging to other individuals at least 14 occasions.
'Schemes to defraud and steal from citizens will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia,' said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. 'This case serves as a reminder for all of us to be as vigilant as possible with what we share online and monitor our financial accounts. I commend the good investigative work of our local and federal law enforcement partners for helping to prevent any more people and businesses from falling victim to this fraud.'
14 others were also convicted for their participation in the scheme.
RELATED COVERAGE: Two Columbus, seven Americus defendants indicted in alleged stolen mail scheme
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