Doris Hayes, Check Cashing Scheme, Texas 2023

A Houston woman has been charged in a check cashing scheme that targeted two banks in the city.

Doris Hayes, 36, of Houston, has been indicted for her role in the scheme, in which she supplied false Social Security numbers to International Bank of Commerce and University Federal Credit Union to open various accounts.

According to the superseding indictment, returned today, Hayes is charged with two counts of making a false statement, each carrying a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

She is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a possible sentence of up to two years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

Houston police have taken Hayes into custody on unrelated state charges, and she is expected to make an initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.

This case is the result of a joint investigation involving multiple federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Leuchtmann is prosecuting the case.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

Hayes' current status is in custody, awaiting an initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/houston-woman-charged-check-cashing-scheme