Benjamin Britford, Bank Larceny, West Virginia 2023

Bank Larceny Rocks West Virginia: $10,000+ Stolen from Credit Union Accounts

A brazen scheme to steal identities and drain cash from credit union accounts has left residents of West Virginia shaken. Two men, Benjamin Britford and Brandon Watkins, have been accused of making unauthorized transactions from accounts at Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union in New Martinsville.

Britford, 33, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Watkins, 29, of Douglasville, Georgia, allegedly obtained the personal identifying information and account numbers for numerous credit union customers in July and August of 2023. The defendants then withdrew cash from those accounts, raking in over $10,000 in West Virginia and additional funds from accounts in South Carolina.

The indictment, which serves as a mere allegation, charges Britford and Watkins with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank larceny. Watkins faces an additional charge of aggravated identity theft.

United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld made the announcement, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer T. Conklin is leading the prosecution, with the FBI conducting the investigation.

The indictment serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting one’s personal and financial information. As the investigation unfolds, residents of West Virginia can take comfort in knowing that authorities are working tirelessly to ensure justice is served.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

With the case now in the hands of the court, residents of West Virginia can only hope that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.

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