Former Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Hebert, 48, pleaded guilty to one civil rights violation, five bank fraud violations, and one aggravated identity theft violation, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite Jr. for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, and Sheriff Newell Normand from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
According to the plea agreement and other documents, Hebert engaged in a scheme to defraud J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (Chase Bank) from Aug. 2, 2007 through Nov. 21, 2007. The scheme began when Hebert, in his capacity as a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, responded to an automobile accident involving Albert Bloch and stole Bloch’s VISA debit card, as well as other items.
While Bloch was hospitalized following the accident, Hebert used that debit card to make unauthorized purchases of merchandise, including two Global Positioning System units, and to withdraw funds from Bloch’s Chase Bank account via Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). After Chase Bank cancelled the debit card due to Bloch filing a dispute with the bank, Hebert continued his scheme to defraud by negotiating and attempting to negotiate forged checks drawn from Bloch’s account.
Hebert then obtained the replacement debit card sent to Bloch and used that card to make further unauthorized transactions at Chase Bank ATMs. Bloch has not been seen since 2007.
By pleading guilty, Hebert admitted that he violated Bloch’s civil rights when he responded in his official capacity to Bloch’s automobile accident and unreasonably seized and converted Bloch’s property, including funds that Bloch had on deposit with Chase Bank.
Hebert also admitted that on at least five occasions he executed his bank fraud scheme against Chase Bank by unlawfully using Bloch’s original ATM card, replacement ATM card, and Chase Bank checks. In addition, Hebert admitted that on at least one occasion he used Bloch’s driver’s license number and social security number in order to execute his bank fraud scheme and thereby committed aggravated identity theft.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled before the Honorable Jane Triche-Milazzo on March 24, 2014. For each of the five counts of bank fraud, Hebert faces a maximum statutory sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. For the count of aggravated identity theft, Hebert faces a maximum statutory sentence of two years in prison.
Defendant/respondent: Mark Hebert
Criminal charges: One civil rights violation, five bank fraud violations, and one aggravated identity theft violation
City and state: New Orleans, Louisiana
Exact date: August 2, 2007 (scheme start date) and November 21, 2007 (scheme end date)
Sentence or outcome: Sentencing hearing scheduled for March 24, 2014
Dollar amounts: None
Related Federal Cases
- Gerard Dugue, Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, Louisiana 2005 · Louisiana
- Roy Austin, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Louisiana 2024 · Louisiana
- Shirley Whittington, Wire Fraud, Louisiana 2009 · Louisiana
- Melanie Barber, Mail Fraud, Louisiana 2024 · Louisiana
- Mark Frederick, Aiding and Abetting Assault, Louisiana 2011 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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