Kansas City Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Scheme

Strategic Insights -

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  • Shepard's actions resulted in the loss of $340,000, which included the $340,000 withdrawn in cashier's checks and cash before the check payor stopped payment.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  • $20,000: The amount of cash withdrawn by Shepard from the account.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