Federal Grand Jury Charges Man Already Under Indictment with Fraud

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of interstate stalking, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The seven-count superseding indictment named Frederick H. Banks, 48, as the sole defendant.

According to the superseding indictment, Banks harassed an individual through telephone calls and a Craigslist posting. The superseding indictment also alleges that Banks defrauded Forex, a retail foreign exchange company, through a wire fraud and an aggravated identity theft scheme. Finally, the indictment alleges that Banks filed a false habeas corpus petition on behalf of a third party with the federal court.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 72 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.