NY Man Frazier Hit With Bank Fraud, Identity Theft Charges

CLEVELAND, OH – Gregory Frazier, 53, of New York, New York, is facing serious federal charges after being indicted for a decade-old bank fraud and identity theft scheme targeting JP Morgan Chase branches across Northeast Ohio. The indictment, unsealed today, alleges Frazier systematically stole identities and attempted to drain accounts, leaving victims to pick up the pieces.

According to the indictment filed by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, Frazier, also known as Gregory Fernandez, concocted a scheme to defraud JP Morgan Chase Bank on October 23, 2013. The scheme involved obtaining counterfeit New York State drivers licenses bearing his photograph, but crucially, using the personal information of *three* unsuspecting New York residents.

The feds say Frazier wasn’t subtle. He hit four separate JP Morgan Chase locations – Streetsboro, Twinsburg, Bedford Heights, and Beachwood – all on the same day. He attempted to withdraw cash from accounts belonging to the individuals whose identities he’d stolen, brazenly walking into bank branches with forged IDs and attempting to claim money that wasn’t his. The audacity is noteworthy, but the damage to the victims is real.

The investigation, spearheaded by the United States Secret Service, with crucial assistance from the Beachwood and Streetsboro Police Departments, has finally led to these charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert W. Kern and Miranda Dugi are prosecuting the case, aiming to bring Frazier to justice for his alleged actions. Details of the investigation remain tight-lipped, but sources indicate the Secret Service spent considerable time tracking Frazier and verifying the stolen identities.

If convicted, Frazier’s sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account his prior criminal record (if any), his role in the offense, and the specifics of the violation. While the statutory maximum hasn’t been disclosed, authorities caution that the sentence will likely be less, but still substantial, given the nature of the crimes. Aggravated identity theft carries a hefty penalty, and bank fraud is no laughing matter.

It’s crucial to remember this is just an indictment – a formal accusation. Frazier is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. He is entitled to a fair trial, and the government bears the burden of proving his guilt. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold, ensuring transparency and accountability in the pursuit of justice.