Utah is reeling after a brazen bank fraud scheme was uncovered, netting a Georgia man over $214,000 in just a few short months.
Toddorius Goodwin, 34, of Lithonia, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity fraud in a US District Court in Salt Lake City.
According to court documents and admissions made during Goodwin’s change of plea hearing, Goodwin and his associates traveled from Georgia to engage in a check fraud scheme in Utah and elsewhere. They recruited impoverished individuals locally to assist with their scheme.
Goodwin and his associates stole payroll checks from private mailboxes, altered the “payable to” names on the checks to the recruited individual’s name, and sent that individual into various banks to cash the forged checks in exchange for a cut of the profit.
Goodwin and his associates successfully cashed at least $214,179.51 worth of counterfeit checks in Utah within just a few months, from April to October 2022.
Goodwin is scheduled to be sentenced November 7, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 3.4. before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Sachi Jepson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement, stating that the defendant’s actions have caused significant financial harm to the victims and the community.
As the case comes to a close, one thing is clear: Toddorius Goodwin’s scheme has left a trail of destruction in its wake, and justice will be served.
Related Federal Cases
- Toddorius Goodwin, Bank Fraud, Utah 2024 · Alabama
- Richard Barrett Dale Walker, Wire Fraud & Bank Fraud, Florida 2020 · Massachusetts
- Martin A. Pool Sentenced to 78 Months for Investment Fraud, Vernal … · Alabama
- Monty Ray Grow, Tricare Health Care Fraud, Florida 2018 · Pennsylvania
- Marc E. Bercoon, Securities Fraud, Georgia 2011 · Utah
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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