Defendant Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

SAVANNAH, Georgia, Feb. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia posted the following news release:

* * *

Defendant Sentenced to federal prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County, Georgia woman was sentenced to federal prison for using stolen and counterfeit business checks to commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.

Dechanta Benning, 35, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term, said Margaret E. Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Randall Hall also ordered Benning to pay a $2,500 fine and $300 in special assessments. There is no parole in the federal system.

As described in court documents and at sentencing, the Defendant obtained business checks stolen from the United States Postal Service, altered them, deposited the altered checks into the bank accounts of co-conspirators as well as her own accounts, then withdrew the money. The money was withdrawn before the banks were able to recognize the checks as fraudulent. The Defendant stole approximately $1,000,000 through this scheme.

"There were hundreds of citizens and businesses in this District and nationwide, who were victimized by this Defendant. The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to protecting and defending the nation's mail system from theft and aggressively pursuing those who would commit fraud in this district. With the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, fraudsters who use stolen mail to steal will be brought to justice," said U.S. Attorney Heap.

"Financial fraud schemes like this don't just impact banks -- they devastate small businesses, families, and entire communities," said Matthew Ploskunak, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta's Augusta office. "By exploiting stolen mail and stolen identities, the defendant attempted to steal nearly $1 million and left hundreds of victims in her wake. The FBI remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable anyone who uses deception and theft for personal gain."

"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is responsible for protecting the sanctity of the nation's mail system. We remain resolute in our investigative efforts to bring those to justice who defraud the U.S. Postal Service, or those who fraudulently use the nation's mail system in the furtherance of their deceptive schemes. Make no mistake, those who choose this path, will be held responsible for their actions in sentencing," said Rodney M. Hopkins, Postal Inspector in Charge, Atlanta Division.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations and prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes.

For any questions, please contact the U.S. Attorney's Office at (912) 652-4422.

* * *

Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/defendant-sentenced-federal-prison-bank-fraud-and-aggravated-identity-theft