Amarillo Woman Sentenced to 210 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Counterfeit Check Scheme

AMARILLO, Texas — Michelle Renee Whitman, aka “Michelle Renee Weaver” and “Raven,” 46, of Amarillo, Texas, was sentenced today for printing counterfeit checks that were used at various stores and banks, announced John Parker, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Whitman, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to serve a total of 210 months in federal prison. Whitman pleaded guilty in June 2017 to two counts of uttering and possessing counterfeited securities of an organization. In addition, Judge Fitzwater ordered that Whitman pay $9,746.71 in restitution. She has been in custody since her arrest in April 2017.

According to plea documents filed, from September 24, 2014 through May 28, 2016, Whitman received account information for various entities and individuals that was obtained from vehicle burglaries or mail theft and used that information to create counterfeit checks using a check writing program. Whitman would also create false temporary identification cards for individuals cashing the counterfeit checks.

The Amarillo Police Department and United States Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Bell prosecuted.

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