A federal grand jury has charged 13 people from Ohio with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.
The indictment alleges the individuals conspired to take checks and money orders from mail through the United States Postal Service.
At least four of the defendants – Thomas Williams Jr., Jamicia Gordon, Courtney Bruce and Donte Rippey-Young, were at one time employed by USPS.
According to the indictment, Postal Service property was used to access blue collection boxes in the Columbus-area.
Williams, Gordon and Bruce allegedly gave or sold USPS property to steal the checks and money orders.
The other involved then allegedly cashed the stolen property through ATMs and bank mobile deposit apps.
They also allegedly created counterfeit checks from the stolen checks.
The indictment said some defendants used social media to solicit others with bank accounts to participate in the conspiracy and permit the deposit of stolen checks into their bank accounts in exchange for money.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, said the defendants caused a loss of at least $150,000 to financial institutions.
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud are each punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Those charged in the indictment include:
- Za Darrick Brooks, 24, Columbus
- Thomas Williams Jr, 23, Pickerington
- Charlee Mitchell, 26, Dayton
- Jordan McCorvey, 24, Columbus
- Neshaun Walls, 22, Columbus
- Milahn Wright, 23, Columbus
- Jamicia Gordon, 22, Columbus
- Courtney Bruce, 23, Columbus
- Donte Rippey-Young, 23, Gahanna
- Joshua Saunders, 24, Columbus
- Chevez Stanley, 26, Columbus
- Terry Reynolds, 20, Columbus
- Justin Brooks, 25, Columbus
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