Akeem Harris, 26, of Newark, Delaware, is behind bars after being sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a brazen bank fraud and money laundering operation that netted over $422,000 in stolen funds. On November 30, 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Sue L. Robinson handed down the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release and a restitution order of $422,946.04.
Harris pleaded guilty on June 2, 2016, to one count of bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. §1344 and one count of money laundering under 18 U.S.C. §1957. Between January and June of that year, he orchestrated a series of fraudulent transactions in and around Wilmington, opening multiple bank accounts under the names of fake businesses to funnel stolen money through.
Once the illicit funds hit the accounts, Harris moved fast—pulling out large sums in cash before banks could flag the activity. These swift withdrawals were part of a broader pattern of financial deception designed to obscure the origins of the stolen cash and make it appear legitimate. The scheme unraveled when federal investigators traced the transactions back to Harris and the shell companies he used.
“I am pleased with Mr. Harris’s sentence,” said Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware. “Though not at the helm of the schemes, Mr. Harris played a vital role and made the schemes profitable for himself and others involved. I hope that others, when approached about playing a similar role, will understand that they will be held accountable for such conduct.”
IRS Criminal Investigation, which led the probe alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, emphasized the seriousness of financial crimes that exploit the banking system. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where individuals use deceit and fraud to line their pockets,” said Akeia Conner, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Office. “This sentence should serve as a deterrent to those who might contemplate similar fraudulent actions.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Wolf, with U.S. Attorney Oberly crediting the investigators for their relentless work in exposing the fraud. Harris now begins his 24-month sentence, a stark reminder that even mid-level players in financial fraud schemes face serious federal consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: Delaware
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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