Damien Deshaun Dennis, Bank Fraud, Florida 2022

Jacksonville, FL – Damien Deshaun Dennis, 43, is headed back to federal prison after being sentenced to 12 years for a calculated bank fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme. The sentencing, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan, also includes a requirement for Dennis to pay restitution to those he victimized. Dennis was initially arrested by the U.S. Secret Service Jacksonville Field Office on April 11, 2022, and remained detained throughout the proceedings after pleading guilty on July 12, 2022.

The scheme began unfolding on August 9, 2021, when Dennis walked into a Community First Credit Union (CFCU) branch, armed with a counterfeit South Carolina driver’s license. Posing as G.M., Dennis used the stolen identity to open a new account, providing a fake address and fabricated employment documents. He then successfully applied for a $20,000 personal loan, claiming it was for wedding expenses. The loan was approved based on the fraudulent information, and Dennis promptly withdrew the full amount in cash before disappearing.

Less than a month later, on September 2, 2021, Dennis attempted a similar operation at another CFCU branch, this time using the identity of J.C. and a counterfeit Pennsylvania driver’s license. However, this time, CFCU employees grew suspicious and alerted the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). When confronted by a responding officer, Dennis provided the victim’s name and the fake ID, then bolted, leading officers on a 20-minute chase through traffic and a residential neighborhood. JSO deployed air, canine, and ground units before finally apprehending Dennis.

The arrest uncovered a pattern of criminal behavior. Investigators discovered Dennis had attempted to open fraudulent accounts at two additional financial institutions, continuing his reliance on stolen identities. This wasn’t Dennis’s first foray into federal prison; in 2009, he was sentenced to five years for his role in a conspiracy to produce and pass counterfeit corporate checks, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jacksonville Division.

“The Secret Service works hand in hand with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to vigorously apprehend and prosecute prolific criminals like this defendant,” stated E. Joseph Scargill, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Jacksonville Field Office. “This type of sentence sends the perfect message to both the victims in this case and any future criminals who think about engaging in aggravated identity theft here in North Florida.”

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service Jacksonville Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein handled the prosecution. Dennis’s 12-year sentence serves as a harsh reminder that identity theft and financial fraud carry significant consequences, especially for repeat offenders like him.

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