Thomas Franklin Carroll, Bank Fraud, Identity Theft, Virginia 2023

Bank Fraud and Identity Theft Charges Land 48-Year-Old Bluefield Man Behind Bars

ABINGDON, VIRGINIA - A former administrator of the Bluefield Virginia Rescue Squad in Bluefield, Va. has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for bank fraud and identity theft charges. Thomas Franklin Carroll, 48, of Bluefield, W.Va., was found guilty of using the organization's scarce resources for his personal gain.

Carroll, who was employed as the administrator of the Rescue Squad from 2005 to June 2011, incurred personal credit card charges on at least 4 of the squad's credit cards, without authorization from the squad's Board of Directors. The investigation revealed that Carroll obtained a loan from a bank without authorization and deposited some of the proceeds into the squad's account in an attempt to hide his crime.

The United States Secret Service and the Virginia State Police conducted the investigation into the case, with Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuting the case for the United States. United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy stated that Carroll's actions were a clear abuse of the trust placed in him by the Rescue Squad and that the sentence imposed appropriately recognizes the seriousness of the crime.

As a result of the investigation, Carroll has been ordered to pay $204,490 in restitution. The sentence handed down in District Court marks the end of a long and thorough investigation into Carroll's crimes.

The people of Bluefield can rest a little easier tonight, knowing that justice has been served and that the funds meant for medical emergencies can now be used for their intended purpose.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/bluefield-wva-man-sentenced-bank-fraud-identity-theft-charges