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Bank Fraud and Identity Theft Ring Busted in Missouri
In a shocking case of financial deception, four men from Franklin County, Missouri have been accused of stealing mail and using stolen checks to commit bank fraud.
Matthew Cahill, 39, Donald Anderson, 35, Harvey Hale, 47, and Joshua Hopkins, 34, were each indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Cahill was also indicted on one count of possession of stolen mail. He and Hopkins face multiple counts of aggravated identity theft.
Hopkins was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court, pleading not guilty. Cahill was arrested on February 23 and also pleaded not guilty. Hale and Anderson are currently in custody but have yet to appear in court.
The indictment alleges that the men began their scheme in at least February 2020, obtaining checks, bank account information, and personal identifying information by stealing incoming or outgoing mail from mailboxes or homes and vehicles. They would then use this information to alter the stolen checks or create counterfeit checks, using them to pay for merchandise at local retailers.
The indictment further states that they cashed the stolen checks and even opened a bank account on at least one occasion.
Each conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a penalty of two years in prison, consecutive to any other charge, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The stolen mail charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments in Washington, Union, Eureka, St. Clair, and St. Charles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke is prosecuting the case.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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