Hawkins woman pleads guilty to federal charge
A Hawkins woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei in Marshall.
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Hawkins woman pleads guilty to federal charge
A Hawkins woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei in Marshall.
Brianna Clarisse Banks, 24, pleaded guilty to theft of government money Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Payne for stealing COVID-19 stimulus payments.
“COVID has been financially devastating for many East Texans, especially for those who were already struggling,” said Ganjei. “Thieves who take the federal funds intended for the financially vulnerable will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted in the Eastern District of Texas.”
According to information presented in court, in April 2020, the U.S. Treasury issued an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) check for $1,200, payable to an individual and mailed to that individual’s post office box in Avinger. Banks stole the EIP check from the post office box and used the victim’s name, social security number and date of birth to open a checking account, but used Banks’ mailing address for the address on the account. Banks deposited the stolen EIP check into the fraudulently opened bank account and withdrew the funds and spent them for her personal benefit.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Banks on Jan. 20, 2021. Under federal statutes, Banks faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020 designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized over $2 trillion in relief programs, including $560 billion for benefits to individuals. An estimated $300 billion of that was allocated for EIPs.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.
