Shango Johnson, Fake Check Scheme, Iowa 2025

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Shango Johnson, 35, of Chicago, Illinois, will spend the next two years in federal prison after admitting to a brazen identity theft scheme that saw him attempt to cash a phony check for $9,634. The sentencing, handed down on June 27, 2025, by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams, marks the culmination of a case that exposed a calculated attempt to defraud a Chicago law firm.

According to court documents, Johnson obtained the fraudulent check in November 2023. The check, falsely drawn on the account of a Chicago law firm that had been closed since 2021 due to stolen mail, was deposited into Johnson’s bank account in Cedar Rapids. He claimed the funds were a “personal injury final settlement payout,” a complete fabrication – Johnson hadn’t been injured, hadn’t filed a suit, and wasn’t entitled to a dime of the law firm’s money.

Johnson attempted to access the funds before the bank flagged the check as fraudulent, demonstrating a clear intent to profit from the deception. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation quickly zeroed in on Johnson’s scheme. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek successfully prosecuted the case, securing a guilty plea on March 24, 2025, to one count of aggravated identity theft.

This wasn’t a crime of opportunity. Johnson is a repeat offender with a lengthy and disturbing criminal history. Court records reveal over 20 prior adult convictions in state court, including charges for assault, forgery, perjury, and theft. This pattern of criminal behavior clearly influenced Judge Williams’ decision to impose the maximum sentence.

Following sentencing, Johnson was taken into the custody of the United States Marshals to begin his 24-month prison term. Upon release, he will face a one-year term of supervised release. It’s a grim reminder that there is no parole in the federal system. This case serves as a warning: attempting to profit from stolen identities and fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and severe justice.

Those seeking more detailed information about the case can access court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, referencing case file number 24-CR-71. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on other instances of fraud and financial crimes impacting our communities.

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