Four Charged in Multistate Bank Fraud and Money-Laundering Scheme

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Four individuals have been charged in an eight-count federal indictment for their roles in a multistate bank-fraud and money-laundering scheme involving stolen and altered checks issued by a multinational corporation.

Cory L. Sims, Jr., of Bridgeport, Conn.; Dondre O. Daniels, of Bridgeport and Tampa, Fla.; Christian M. Hill, of Kansas City, Mo.; and Makhia L. Duncan, of Des Moines, Iowa, were charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. The indictment was unsealed following Hill's initial court appearance. Daniels and Duncan were subsequently taken into custody. Sims remains at large.

According to the indictment, the defendants unlawfully obtained checks issued by the corporation to pay its vendors. The indictment alleges that the defendants altered those checks by removing the names of the intended payees and replacing them with their own names or with the name of an identity-theft victim. The altered checks then were deposited into accounts controlled by the defendants, who subsequently withdrew or transferred the unlawfully obtained funds.

The indictment alleges that Sims and Daniels deposited multiple altered checks into bank accounts opened either in Sims' name or in the name of an identity-theft victim. Daniels allegedly made ATM withdrawals in several cities using bank cards linked to those accounts. According to the indictment, Sims and Daniels then laundered the fraud proceeds through cash withdrawals, transfers, payments to Daniels's business, and electronic transactions.

Hill is alleged to have obtained and deposited an altered check into his personal account, then withdrawn and laundered more than $45,000 in fraud proceeds. Duncan is alleged to have deposited a separate altered check into his personal account, later withdrawing and laundering more than $34,000 through subsequent transactions.

The indictment charges Sims with conspiracy to commit money laundering; Daniels with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and aggravated identity theft; Hill with bank fraud and two counts of money laundering; and Duncan with bank fraud and one count of money laundering. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of the proceeds of the offenses.

Bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison. Conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.

The charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations, not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.