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Bank Fraud and ID Theft on the Rise in Hampton Roads
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A pair of Hampton men has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to allegations in the indictment, Markis J. Dickerson, 21, who was arrested and taken into custody last night, and Christopher D. Boone, 25, who was already in state custody, conspired to obtain U.S. currency from several financial institutions by depositing worthless and counterfeit financial instruments into accounts belonging to other individuals and then conducting debit card transactions at ATM and retail locations throughout Hampton Roads.
The indictment alleges that Dickerson and Boone recruited account holders of several financial institutions via social media to provide access to their debit cards and personal identification numbers for a period of time in exchange for monetary payment. Dickerson, Boone, and other conspirators then deposited worthless and counterfeit checks and money orders into the compromised accounts primarily through “mobile deposit” online banking applications.
Dickerson, Boone, and others were then withdrew cash and made purchases at ATM and retail locations to access the funds made available through such fraudulent deposits. Both men carried firearms when conducting such transactions. Boone, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Both men face a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison to run consecutive to a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison if convicted. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The indictment comes after a thorough investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Newport News Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin C. Gratton is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:17-cr-43.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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