UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: PEGGY SANFORD
	DATE			PHONE: (205) 244-2020
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

FORMER REGIONS BANK TELLER INDICTED FOR BANK FRAUD AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT

            BIRMINGHAM - A federal grand jury today indicted a Homewood woman for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Roy D. Sexton announced.

            LASHONDA G. McINTYRE, 27, of Homewood, was charged in a three -count indictment filed in U.S. District Court.

            The indictment charges that from mid-September 2007 through mid-November 2007, McIntyre, a teller for Regions Bank, accepted and cashed 34 counterfeit money orders and traveler’s checks, totaling $15,270, and used the proceeds for herself and others.

            In order to negotiate the counterfeit securities, McIntyre illegally used the name and account number of another person.

            The maximum sentence for bank fraud is 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.  The sentence for aggravated identity theft is no less than two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

            U.S. Secret Service special agents investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes is prosecuting it.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.