Fraud Promoter Pleads Guilty to Federal Bank Fraud Charges Involving Manipulation of Stolen Checks

ATLANTA - Shamarri Tache Brooks has pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in connection with a scheme arising from the widespread theft of checks from the mail.

"Brooks used his music and social media accounts to promote fraud as a lifestyle rather than a scourge," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. "Those who treat fraud like a game ​gamble with their freedom because my office will vigorously prosecute the perpetrators of financial crimes that undermine our postal and financial systems, erode trust, and disrupt the lives of everyday people."

"For those who think they can take the easy road to financial gains by stealing money people have worked hard for, the FBI will hold you accountable for the pain and losses you cause," said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham.

"The FDIC Office of Inspector General is pleased to join our law enforcement partners in this impactful prosecution," said Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Atlanta Region. "This investigation reflects the FDIC OIG's unwavering commitment to investigate all allegations of fraud that threaten to undermine the integrity of our Nation's financial system."

"The brazenness of the defendant is almost unfathomable," said Robert Donovan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office. "He openly recruited participants in his criminal enterprise on social media while teaching others how to victimize members of the public by selling financial fraud tutorials. We are grateful to our federal partners for their teamwork in the investigation and the successful prosecution of this defendant."

"Today's guilty plea serves as a clear reminder that individuals who believe they can conceal their fraud schemes behind encrypted messaging services are mistaken," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. "Our special agents, in collaboration with our federal and local law enforcement partners, remain unwavering in their commitment to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail and maintain the public's trust."

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: From at least January 2022 through November 2025, Brooks committed bank fraud by negotiating checks stolen from the mail. As part of the scheme, Brooks used social media to recruit individuals with existing bank accounts to use as depository accounts for stolen checks. Brooks altered the stolen checks to list the cooperating accountholders as the intended recipients or payees of the checks. Brooks deposited altered checks at ATMs throughout the Atlanta area, often wearing balaclava-style masks with a logo stating "No Free Sauce."

Brooks also promoted and sold tutorials for committing various forms of financial fraud, including check fraud. He sold a collection of these tutorials under the name "Sauce Book" or "SB." Brooks also sold images of stolen checks, referred to as "slips," as a part of his fraud business.

When law enforcement arrested Brooks earlier this year, they recovered over 600 stolen checks from his residence.

Shamarri Tache Brooks, a/k/a Juney Knotzz, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. The sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The Dunwoody Police Department and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration also provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

To protect yourself from becoming the victim of mail theft and check fraud, the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service recommend the following steps:

• Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Do not leave mail in your mailbox overnight or for long periods of time.
• If you are heading out of town, submit a USPS Hold Mail™ request asking your local Post Office to hold your mail until you return.
• Sign up for Informed Delivery^® at USPS.com to receive daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages.
• Contact the sender if you do not receive a check, credit card or other valuable mail you are expecting.
• Consider buying and using security envelopes to conceal the contents of your mail.
• Use the letter slots inside your local Post Office to send mail. If using a blue USPS collection box, be sure to drop your mail as close to the posted pickup time as possible and before the last collection of the day
• When using checks, educate yourself about the steps you can take to prevent fraudsters from exploiting stolen checks, such as setting up positive pay with your financial institution.

If you think you were targeted by fraudsters, file a report with your bank and request copies of all fraudulent checks. Report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), www.ic3.gov. If you believe you are the victim of mail theft-related check fraud, report to your local police and the United States Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/reportLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or 1-877-876-2455.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Morris is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.