Check Cashing Conspirators Sentenced

G. F. “Pete” Peterman, III, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that on May 16 and May 17, 2017, Senior United States District Court Judge Hugh Lawson sentenced Caseita Jenkins, age 39 of Fort Valley, Georgia, Jennifer Wilson, age 38 of Moultrie, Georgia, Tonyal Loud, age 38 of Moultrie, Georgia, and Oceana Pace, age 26 of Moultrie, Georgia, for their participation in a conspiracy to cash fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury Checks.

Defendants engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Government that stretched from December 2011 through April 2012. During that time, Oceana Pace was a cashier and Tonyal Loud was a Customer Service Manager at the Wal-Mart located in Moultrie, Georgia. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Caseita Jenkins and Jennifer Wilson would procure fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury Checks containing tax refunds and bring these checks to be cashed by Pace and Loud at Wal-Mart.

For their conduct, Caseita Jenkins was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, Jennifer Wilson was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, and Tonyal Loud was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Pace was sentenced to 36 months of probation. Each defendant was ordered to repay the loss from their conspiracy, a total of $206,108.86.

“These defendants stole from the Treasury of the United States, from the citizens whose payments were diverted, and from the defendants’ own employers. I commend the deputies of the Lowndes and Colquitt County Sheriff’s Offices and the Special Agents of the Secret Service for their teamwork in bringing these thieves to justice,” said United States Attorney Peterman.

“The Secret Service remains committed to aggressively investigate those responsible for committing fraud for the purpose of defrauding the nation’s financial system. Along with our law enforcement partners we will continue to pursue those committing these crimes,” said Clint A. Bush , Resident Agent in Charge, Albany, Georgia Resident Office, United States Secret Service.

The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sherriff’s Office, the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Julia C. Bowen prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.