Woman Sentenced for Attempting to Steal Over $200K in Checks

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland woman was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for bank fraud.

According to court documents, Linette Jones, 29, impersonated identity theft victims, opened bank accounts in identity theft victims’ names, and attempted to deposit stolen checks in the fraudulently opened bank accounts. Then Jones attempted to withdraw funds after the stolen checks were cleared by commercial banks. In one instance in August 2016, Jones attempted to negotiate a stolen $230,000 treasury check while posing as an identity theft victim. In total, Jones attempted to steal more than $285,000.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Eric M. Thorson, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Treasury, Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General, District of Columbia, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Smith III and Grace L. Hill prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-93.