Aliquippa Man Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud Charge
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, April 7, 2010, that Kevin L. Brown of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud.
Brown, age 41, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull advised the court that Brown received an altered United States Treasury check in the amount of $14,709.79, representing a tax refund from a finance company after internet correspondence with an individual in England. He agreed to return the majority of the funds to that individual. Suspecting the check was counterfeit, Brown nonetheless deposited the check into his bank account at National City Bank and then proceeded to spend the funds himself. The check was returned to the bank as altered.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Kevin L. Brown.
