Fairbanks Duo Hit With $500K Check Fraud Rap

Fairbanks residents Jared Post, 25, and Levi Skulstad, 26, are facing a mountain of federal charges after a five-year scheme to defraud banks and unsuspecting citizens. The pair allegedly raked in at least half a million dollars through a sophisticated check fraud operation, preying on those who couldn’t afford to be targets. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, paints a picture of calculated deceit and brazen theft.

Federal prosecutors are laying out a case built on 31 counts, including conspiracy, bank and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. The feds allege that Post and Skulstad systematically targeted individuals – dubbed “Plays” in internal communications – convincing them to hand over their bank account details under false pretenses. This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment hustle; the scheme ran from 2017 to 2021, indicating a long-term, organized criminal effort.

The method was chillingly simple. The duo allegedly deposited stolen and fraudulently altered checks into the accounts of these “Plays.” Before banks could catch the bogus checks, Post and Skulstad would drain the funds, leaving the account holders to deal with the fallout. Victims will likely face overdraft fees, damaged credit, and a whole lot of headaches. The feds believe the total loss exceeds $500,000, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory two-year sentence *on top* of any other prison time handed down. The most serious charge in the indictment carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years. That means each defendant could be looking at a combined three decades behind bars if convicted on all counts. The feds aren’t messing around; they’re sending a clear message that exploiting vulnerable people and defrauding financial institutions will have severe consequences.

The investigation is a multi-agency effort, with several law enforcement groups working together to build the case. Details on which agencies are involved haven’t been fully released, but the scope of the investigation suggests it was a complex undertaking. The feds are meticulously tracing the money trail, hoping to recover as much of the stolen funds as possible and bring all those involved to account.

Post and Skulstad are presumed innocent until proven guilty, of course. But the evidence presented to the grand jury was clearly enough to secure an indictment, suggesting the feds have a strong case. Expect a protracted legal battle as the defense attempts to poke holes in the government’s evidence. Grimy Times will be following this case closely, bringing you the dirt as it unfolds.

The indictment alleges a deliberate pattern of deception, and the financial impact on both the banks and the individuals whose identities were stolen is significant. The feds are determined to hold these men accountable for their actions and send a message that this type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated.

The case highlights the growing threat of check fraud and identity theft, particularly in the age of digital banking. It serves as a stark reminder to individuals to protect their personal financial information and to be wary of unsolicited requests for bank account details.