Louisville Felon Guilty Of Bank Fraud And Illegal Possession Of A Firearm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Louisville felon pleaded guilty, in United States District Court this week, to making more than 300 counterfeit checks totaling over $200,000 and recruiting 15 co-conspirators to pass the counterfeit checks at businesses and financial institutions in Jefferson County and the surrounding area announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

Phillip Walker, age 40, pleaded guilty to 26 charges in two federal indictments including one count of conspiracy, 19 counts of bank fraud, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the plea agreement, Walker admitted from July 2011 through August 2013, that he manufactured approximately 300 counterfeit checks totaling over $200,000. Walker recruited approximately 15 co-conspirators, to pass the checks and would split the proceeds of the checks with the co-conspirators after the checks were successfully negotiated. Walker also caused an unnamed co-defendant to open bank accounts at Your Community Bank and U.S. Bank for the purpose of negotiating counterfeit checks. During the course of the fraud more than 70 area retail outlets were affected. Walker made the counterfeit checks utilizing a computer and two printers, at his home located on West Kentucky Street in Louisville. In furtherance of the crime, Walker admitted to buying stolen driver’s licenses or state identification cards and would make the counterfeit check payable to that person’s name. Walker would then attempt to recruit people who looked similar to the photo of the person on the stolen driver’s license or state identification card to cash the counterfeit check. Further, on August 16, 2013, in Jefferson County, Walker knowingly possessed an American Tactical C45 pistol and eight rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, as well as numerous rounds of assorted ammunition. Walker had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

If convicted at trial, Walker faced a combined maximum sentence of 325 years, a fine of $9.5 million and a five year term of supervised release.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bryan R. Calhoun and Special Assistant Attorney Sungtae Kang and is being investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.