Kansas City Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Scheme
Aviance Shepard, 34, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to taking part in a bank fraud scheme, admitting to depositing a stolen and altered check worth $881,324 into a newly opened business account. She then obtained cashier's checks for $320,000 and withdrew $20,000 in cash before the check payor discovered the theft and stopped payment. Shepard faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
Key Takeaways:
- Aviance Shepard pleaded guilty to participating in a bank fraud scheme, admitting to depositing a stolen and altered check worth $881,324.
- Shepard opened a business account at a local financial institution in the name of the check payee and deposited the stolen and altered check on March 27, 2023.
- She obtained five cashier's checks totaling $320,000 for herself and others, as well as withdrawing $20,000 in cash from the account.
- Shepard's actions resulted in the loss of $340,000, which included the $340,000 withdrawn in cashier's checks and cash before the check payor stopped payment.
- Shepard is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for bank fraud, as prescribed by federal statutes.
- The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney, with the FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service investigating.
- The sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Statistics:
- $881,324: The value of the stolen and altered check deposited by Shepard.
- $320,000: The total amount of cashier's checks obtained by Shepard.
- $20,000: The amount of cash withdrawn by Shepard from the account.
- $340,000: The total amount of losses incurred due to Shepard's actions, including the cashier's checks and cash withdrawals.
- 30 years: The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress for bank fraud.
Sources:
- United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
- United States Probation Office