Bank Fraud Plagues Columbia Community: Two Men Plead Guilty to Conspiracy
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A pair of Columbia men has been brought to justice for their roles in a brazen bank fraud conspiracy that used stolen identity documents to open fraudulent bank accounts.
Chandelle Eugene Marteen, 39, and Jason Lee Patillo, 50, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. to participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Marteen also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft.
The pair admitted to participating in the bank fraud conspiracy from July 2021 to March 2023. Marteen’s crimes were particularly egregious, as he stole mail from collection boxes and residences, obtaining personal and business checks that he forged and altered. He used stolen identity documents to cash or deposit stolen and fraudulent checks, and even opened bank accounts using the stolen documents.
Patillo played a supporting role in the conspiracy, opening a bank account at Marteen’s instruction and handing over the debit card and account information. This enabled Marteen to deposit stolen and fraudulent checks and withdraw money from the account using cash withdrawals at ATMs and electronic transfers.
Under federal statutes, Marteen and Patillo are each subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for the bank fraud conspiracy. Marteen is also subject to a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison without parole for aggravated identity theft.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn, with assistance from the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The bank fraud conspiracy has left a trail of victims in its wake, with many individuals and businesses struggling to recover from the financial losses they suffered as a result of Marteen and Patillo’s crimes.
As the sentencing hearing approaches, the community is left to wonder how such a brazen conspiracy was able to unfold in their midst. One thing is certain, however: justice has been served, and Marteen and Patillo will face the consequences of their actions.
DEFENDANT INFORMATION:
Defendant: Chandelle Eugene Marteen
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft
City and State: Columbia, Missouri
Crime Date: July 2021 to March 2023
Sentence: Up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for bank fraud conspiracy, 2 years in federal prison without parole for aggravated identity theft
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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