An Oklahoma City man, identified as 49-year-old Gerald Duran, has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for engaging in bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, officials reported. The sentencing took place in Springfield, Illinois, where Duran attempted to cash a fraudulent check.
Duran, who was arrested on December 29, 2023, faced charges after being caught by Springfield Police Officers at a branch location of a national bank. At his sentencing hearing, the court learned that Duran had earlier on the same day, managed to secure two cashier’s checks and $13,500 in cash by using false identity documents at another branch location. He was able to navigate security measures by answering personal questions correctly, and providing the social security number of an actual account holder, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported.
Upon his arrest, Duran was found with identification cards for three separate individuals, all bearing his picture but with the names and information of different, real people. Duran, who has been in custody since the date of his arrest, entered a guilty plea on March 19, 2024. Besides the case in Illinois, Duran is simultaneously facing charges for similar offenses in Lee County, Florida.
The penalties for bank fraud can be severe, with convicted individuals facing up to thirty years in prison, five years of supervised release, and fines reaching $1,000,000. In cases of aggravated identity theft that occur in relation to another felony, the law mandates a 24-month sentence, to run consecutive to the primary offense sentence, one year of supervised release, and a fine that can escalate up to $250,000, no less according to U.S. statutory regulations.
The FBI's Springfield Field Office and the Springfield Police Department conducted the investigation that led to Duran's conviction, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senore-Moore representing the government in court proceedings. Post-sentencing, Duran is slated for three years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay $4,500 in restitution for his crimes.
