On November 23, 2014, a brazen identity theft and bank fraud scheme was foiled by the Florida Highway Patrol, leading to the arrest of three Jacksonville men.
David Lee Mitchell, 60, and Hezekiah Williams, 59, were sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for their role in the scheme, which involved the use of counterfeit business checks and stolen identities.
According to court documents, Mitchell, Williams, and their accomplice, Travis Ware, 24, were pulled over by troopers during a traffic stop. A search of the vehicle revealed 25 counterfeit business checks made out to various individuals and 15 forms of identification from 7 different people.
Many of the names on the identification documents matched those printed on the counterfeit checks. Further investigation determined that the trio had been driving around three days earlier, attempting to fraudulently cash the counterfeit checks and recruiting others to use the various forms of identification to cash the checks.
The case was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and the United States Secret Service, Jacksonville Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein prosecuted the case.
Mitchell and Williams were ordered to serve 8 years in federal prison for attempted bank fraud and possession of counterfeit business checks. They were also hit with a consecutive mandatory minimum term of 2 years’ imprisonment for aggravated identity theft.
Travis Ware, the third co-defendant, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft on March 9, 2016.
The sentencing marks a significant victory for law enforcement and a reminder of the serious consequences of identity theft and bank fraud.
Related Federal Cases
- Cherica Daniels, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Aggravated Identity Theft, Florida 2014 · Idaho
- Louis A. Francois, Wire Fraud Aggravated Identity Theft, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Kency Aime, Access Device Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2023 · Idaho
- Jermaine Winters, Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Andy Lamour, Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud, Florida 2012 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
