Nigerian Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Charge

ERIE, Pa. - A citizen of Nigeria pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Ayisat Enitan Yekinni, 30, pleaded guilty to one charge before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Yekinni, using multiple aliases and corresponding false identification documents, engaged in a scheme to defraud various financial institutions by funneling multiple fraudulently issued or stolen checks through fraudulently opened bank accounts at banks across the United States.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for December 8, 2016. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Yekinni.