Mobile Check Fraudsters and Identity Thieves Sentenced in Federal Court

MOBILE, AL – More than a dozen defendants from Mobile were sentenced for their roles in an organized scheme to commit bank fraud and identity theft. The leader of the scheme was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison.

According to court documents, Arrington Jaylun Gardner, 22, led a ring of individuals that committed widespread fraud and identity theft involving checks stolen from the U.S. mail, which the defendants later altered and deposited at various financial institutions. The fraudulent checks bore the personal identifying information of numerous victim businesses and individuals in the Mobile area and elsewhere. Gardner and his coconspirators used social media and other means to recruit individuals with accounts at various banks, who provided their account information, debit cards, and other support to Gardner to further the scheme. Victims of the scheme suffered more than $125,000 in financial losses.

Federal agents executed a search warrant at Gardner’s apartment in Mobile in July 2022, recovering dozens of altered and stolen checks, fake identifications, counterfeiting tools, stolen vehicles, and more than $2,600 in cash. Agents also uncovered evidence that Gardner had used the stolen identity of a victim in New Jersey to finance and purchase luxury automobiles at a car dealership in Mobile, causing more than $75,000 in losses. Gardner pleaded guilty to two separate conspiracies to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

In addition to the 102-month prison term, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Gardner to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment, and will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Gardner to pay $201,293.05 in victim restitution and $300 in special assessments, and forfeited $2,609.50 to the United States.

For their roles in the scheme, the court sentenced Gardner’s codefendants as follows: Reginald Martez Robinson, Jr. (46 months’ imprisonment); Johnathan Earl Kyser (36 months’ imprisonment); Delvin Lee Andrews (33 months’ imprisonment); D’Undra Norwood (24 months’ imprisonment); Travis Ladell Morrissette (13 months’ imprisonment); Jimmy Dejuan Parnell (nine months’ imprisonment); Justin Deandre Betties (six months’ imprisonment); Barbara Jackson (six months’ imprisonment); Kenessa Denise Hackworth (one day in custody and 12 months’ home confinement); Markisha Jakeria Johnson (time served); Danquile Nakrica Westbrook (time served); and Calvin Davis (time served). The court also ordered each of those defendants to serve supervised release terms and pay restitution and special assessments.

Codefendants Jairice Lynn Shelton and Edmund Jamarquis Davis are scheduled to be sentenced in October 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, Mobile Police Department, and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.