A Portland man has received a federal prison sentence today after being convicted of participating in a manifold fraud operation. The scheme involved stealing a vast amount of mail, utilizing victims' private information to illegally open bank accounts, and securing goods and services under false pretenses. Cody Joel Stewart, 43, was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed. Stewart is also on the hook for $211,831 in victim restitution.
Court documents indicate that from April 2020 to April 2023, Stewart along with accomplices Felicia Lynn Hawkins and Patrick Dorin Balan, both 35, engaged in a systematic effort to filch mail for their illicit gains. At the speed of more than 100 mph, leading police on a wild chase, Stewart was eventually apprehended in May 2023. His capture led officers to find additional stolen documents in his possession.
During a December 2022 raid on a residence shared by Stewart and Hawkins, investigators found a trove of forged and stolen documents, including counterfeit checks, Treasury checks, fraudulent currency, and illegal drugs. Charged with a dozen federal crimes, including aggravated identity theft and bank fraud conspiracy, the trio's fraudulent dealings bore heavy consequences.
While Stewart and Hawkins have both pleaded guilty to the charges against them—Hawkins was sentenced to time already served and five years' supervised release—Balan is set to be decided in an upcoming jury trial slated for August 6. With Stewart and Hawkins both effectively out of the game, arresting on pre-trial release, Balan will soon face the judicial system.
The tireless efforts of agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) were paramount in uncovering the intricacies of this operation. The assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, Rachel K. Sowray, took the lead in prosecution, securing the convictions against Stewart and Hawkins.
