NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
John L. Brownlee United States Attorney Brian McGinn Public Affairs Specialist |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2974 FAX (540) 857-2179 |
February 7, 2008
TWO INDICTED IN CHECK CASHING SCHEME
United States Attorney John L. Brownlee announced today that Bart K. Mullins, age 29 and Anthony D. Oakes, age 32, both of Greensboro, North Carolina, were indicted by a federal Grand Jury sitting in Roanoke, Virginia.
Mullins and Oakes were charged in a 26 count indictment on numerous charges related to a check cashing scheme. Mullins was charged with 14 counts of uttering a counterfeit security, two counts of identification document fraud and one count each of bank fraud, aggravated identity fraud and conspiracy. Oakes was charged with six counts of uttering a counterfeit security, and one count each of identification document fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity fraud and conspiracy.
According to the indictment, Mullins and Oakes were involved in a scheme to enrich themselves by obtaining money through fraud, deception and deceit. The indictment alleges that between Dec. 21, 2007 and Dec. 23, 2007, Mullins and Oakes, both using a variety of aliases, used counterfeit securities and counterfeit payroll checks to purchase items and obtain cash from several Walmart stores in the Western District of Virginia, and elsewhere.
In order to utter the counterfeit checks, the defendants utilized multiple counterfeit North Carolina Drivers Licenses. The fraudulent drivers licences contained a variety of different names but included the photographic likeness of either Mullins or Oakes.
According to the indictment, on six different occasions on or about Dec. 23, 2007, Bart Mullins used aliases to cash or attempt to cash six counterfeit checks at a variety of Walmart stores. The counterfeit checks ranged in amounts and totaled $2,572.95.
The indictment also alleges that during the same time period Oakes also used an alias to cash or attempt to cash a counterfeit check at a Walmart store in the amount of $293.71.
In addition, the indictment states that Mullins and Oakes were in the possession of various counterfeit payroll checks. According to court documents, Mullins was in possession of a total of eight counterfeit payroll checks made out to a variety of aliases.
Oakes was found to be in possession of total of five counterfeit payroll checks, made out to several different names. All of the counterfeit checks were allegedly issued from legitimate business entities, however, the investigation revealed that the owners of those businesses had no knowledge of the actions of Mullins and Oakes.
If convicted on all counts, the maximum penalty faced by Mullins is 77 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $2 million. If convicted on all counts, the maximum penalty faced by Oakes is 62 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $1.75 million.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Secret Service at the request of the Pearisburg Virginia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene Day will prosecute the case.
A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.