DENVER MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR FORGING CHECKS
DENVER – Henry N. Coleman, age 55, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced last Friday to serve 52 months (over 4 years) in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for forging counterfeit checks, Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette, and Denver Division U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Shawn Tiller announced today. The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn. Coleman was ordered by Judge Blackburn to pay $37,200 in restitution to victim banks as well as pay a $100 special assessment to a general victims of crime fund. Coleman, who appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, was remanded.
Henry N. Coleman was first charged by Criminal Complaint on July 16, 2008. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on July 22, 2008. The government obtained a Superseding Indictment on August 20, 2008. Coleman pled guilty before Judge Blackburn on March 20, 2009. He was sentenced on Friday, July 17, 2009.
According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, from September 2007 through June 2008, Coleman either cashed forged checks or recruited others and directed them to cash forged checks that had been stolen from the mail. Early in the fraudulent check forging scheme, Coleman twice personally cashed forged checks at various Metro Denver banks. On at least 44 additional occasions Coleman drove various women he recruited to Metro Denver banks and directed them to cash forged checks. The forged checks varied in amounts ranging from $200 to $2,000. The total of the fraudulently cashed checks was nearly $40,000.
The plea agreement also states that Coleman used his daughter, who was under the age of 18, to assist in the commission of the offense. The women Coleman directed to cash the forged checks stated that they were introduced to Coleman by his daughter. In total, Coleman’s daughter helped negotiate or attempt to negotiate 33 checks before she turned 18, which was in June 2008.
Coleman kept the majority of the proceeds from the fraudulent check cashing scheme. He generally gave his accomplices approximately $50 to $100 for successfully cashing a check.
Other people Coleman solicited to help implement the check cashing scheme were also prosecuted. Shaiana Filpo entered into pre-trial diversion. Paula Jones was charged, and has pled guilty to related crimes. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2009. Brynee Martin has pled guilty and will be sentenced on October 29, 2009. Sabrina Gause and Kimberly Page were both sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip Brimmer on Friday, July 17th, 2009. Gause was sentenced to 5 years probation, and ordered to pay $11,875 in restitution to victim banks jointly and severally with Coleman. Page was sentenced to serve 3 years probation, and ordered to pay $8,060 in restitution to victim banks jointly and severally with Coleman.
“Those who cash forged checks face federal prison time, as their actions are a direct attack on the bank and credit union system,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.
“Protecting our nation’s mail stream, which includes customers’ personal identifying information, is a critical aspect of our mission,” said Shawn Tiller, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who steal mail. This sentencing reflects our commitment to keeping the mail stream secure.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Aurora Police Department.
Coleman was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Hearty and Ryan Bergsieker.
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