Ebony Stillwell, Bank Fraud, Florida 2016

Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of deceit, 31-year-old Ebony Stillwell of Tampa was sentenced to three years in federal prison for her role in a bank fraud conspiracy. The Court also ordered her to forfeit $252,107.07, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense.

Stillwell pleaded guilty on October 25, 2016, after an investigation by the Tampa Police Department and the Pinellas Park Police Department. She was found to have worked as the onsite manager for St. Giles Manor, an apartment complex undergoing refurbishment in Pinellas Park, managed by SPM Property Management.

As part of her duties, Stillwell processed invoices from vendors and contractors for payment. However, she began a scheme to defraud the company by working with her brother, David Chambers Opembe, who had created a shell company called Erickson’s Drying Systems in Texas.

In a brazen move, Opembe opened a bank account in the name of Erickson’s Drying Systems at Regions Bank in Texas, listing himself as the sole signatory. Stillwell then caused approximately 21 checks to be issued from the SPM disbursing account to the fake Erickson’s account, depositing the funds into her brother’s account.

The duo used the stolen funds to make car payments and other personal expenses, totaling approximately $262,067 in fraudulently obtained checks. Opembe had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and was sentenced to 36 months’ incarceration.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel. Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington presided over the case and handed down the sentence.

This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the consequences of deceitful actions. The community can rest assured that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable for their crimes.

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