Huntington, W.Va. – A local man’s desperate attempt to pay rent ended in a guilty plea to a serious crime. George West, 53, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 12, 2022, West was employed by a Huntington business when he forged the name of the business’s owner on a $780 check that West wrote on the business’s bank account. West gave the forged check to his then-roommate for rent that West owed. West admitted that he was not authorized to write the check or to sign it with the owner’s name, and that he was not entitled to the money.
West also stole two checks from the roommate, writing each for $780 to pay two month’s worth of rent and signing them with his roommate’s name. West admitted that he was not entitled to that money, and that he knew that his roommate had not authorized him to write the checks or sign them in his name.
The investigation that led to West’s guilty plea was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Huntington Police Department, and the Charleston Police Department.
West is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2024, and faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. West also owes $14,456.45 in restitution.
George West, who has a history of financial mismanagement, made a grave mistake in attempting to pay rent with forged checks. His actions not only put him at risk of serious prison time but also damaged his relationship with his roommate and put his reputation at stake.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in all aspects of life. West’s guilty plea is a step towards accountability and redemption, but only time will tell if he truly learns from his mistake.
Related Federal Cases
- Raymond Rahbar, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Virginia 2024 · Maryland
- Timothy Chad Henson, Broadband Funding Theft, West Virginia 2024 · Virginia
- Jennifer Douglas, Theft from Federal Programs, West Virginia 2018 · Alabama
- James Lomax, Unemployment Benefits Theft, West Virginia 2023 · Kentucky
- Dees, Theft of Government Property, West Virginia 2024 · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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