Phoenix Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud in Louisiana

Phoenix man sentenced to 15 months for bank fraud after attempting to cash a forged check using a false ID.Photo byCarles RabadaonUnsplash

William J. White, 63, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for bank fraud, U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana announced today.

White, who pleaded guilty to using a false identification document in an attempt to cash a forged and fraudulent check, was sentenced on September 25, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

In addition to the prison term, White was ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The case stems from an incident in which White entered a local bank and presented a forged check with a falsified ID in an effort to cash it.

White had been indicted on January 11, 2024, after an investigation by the United States Diplomatic Security Service and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Under federal law, the crime of bank fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000

U.S. Attorney Evans commended the investigative work of both agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II, of the Financial Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

This sentencing comes as federal authorities continue to combat rising fraud cases.

According to newly released Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, consumers reported losses exceeding $10 billion to fraud in 2023, marking the first time such losses have reached that benchmark.

This represents a 14% increase from 2022, with investment scams leading the category at more than $4.6 billion, a 21% rise over the previous year.

Imposter scams followed closely behind, with nearly $2.7 billion in reported losses.

Notably, in 2023, consumers reported losing more money to bank transfers and cryptocurrency scams than any other method combined, according to FTC.