MEMPHIS, TN – Talmadge Garner is headed to federal prison for nearly five years after a years-long scheme to fleece Memphis-area banks out of over $130,000. Garner, a local resident, was sentenced Wednesday to 57 months behind bars for perpetrating a complex fraud that spanned from August 2011 to February 2016.
The scheme, detailed in a federal indictment, involved opening fraudulent accounts and exploiting existing ones at Orion Federal Credit Union, SunTrust Bank, and Regions Bank. Garner didn’t stop at just bad checks; he also stole the identities of unsuspecting individuals, using their information to further the fraudulent activity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee confirmed the sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.
Investigators with the United States Secret Service uncovered that Garner and his co-conspirators deposited nearly 200 bogus checks, totaling more than $130,000, into various accounts. The operation was meticulously timed; immediately after the fraudulent deposits cleared, Garner and his accomplices would withdraw the funds. The stolen money wasn’t kept by Garner alone – he shared the proceeds with those helping him carry out the scheme.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime. “This sentencing demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who exploit our financial institutions and victimize our community,” Dunavant stated. The investigation highlighted a brazen disregard for the law and a calculated effort to profit from deception.
Beyond the 57-month prison term, Judge Lipman also sentenced Garner to three years of supervised release, which will begin once his incarceration is complete. Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon Keith Griffin successfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that solidified the charges against Garner and ensured a conviction. The Secret Service’s investigation played a critical role in unraveling the scheme and bringing Garner to justice.
This case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft and bank fraud are serious federal offenses with severe consequences. While Garner’s scheme lasted for years, the combined efforts of the Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office ultimately brought him down, sending a clear message that such criminal activity will not be tolerated in the Western District of Tennessee.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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