Pair Sentenced For Treasury Check Fraud Scheme

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced today that Peachess S. Wilson, aged 32, of Albany, Georgia, and Katoria M. Greene, aged 34, also of Albany, Georgia, were sentenced on July 15, 2015 by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, Senior United States District Court Judge, in Albany, Georgia, for their involvement in a Treasury check fraud scheme. Ms. Green was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in the Bureau of Prisons, and Ms. Wilson, to 42 months in the Bureau of Prisons. In addition, both defendants were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $732,427 to the United States Treasury. Ms. Wilson and Ms. Greene were charged in separate charging documents. However, both were jointly involved in criminal activity. Ms. Green pleaded guilty to three fraud-related offenses: theft of government property, aggravated identity theft, and fraud in connection with access devices. Ms. Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government property and two counts of aggravated identity theft. As set forth in their plea agreements, Ms. Wilson had a business checking account in the name of an entity called “Spunkie’s” at SunTrust bank, Albany, Georgia. Ms. Greene and others obtained numerous United States Treasury checks payable to third parties by fraud. Many of these Treasury checks were generated by the filing of fraudulent on-line tax returns in the names of the third parties without their knowledge. Wilson deposited approximately $732,427 of fraudulently obtained Treasury checks into her SunTrust account. Ms. Wilson would then make cash withdrawals from her account and distribute the proceeds or write checks on her account to herself or to “straw” payees who would cash the checks and give her cash back. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Crane represented the Government in the prosecution of these cases. Inquiries regarding this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.