A Chicago man has received a federal prison sentence for his involvement in a fraudulent check cashing scheme targeting Indiana businesses. Shawn Edwards, 34, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to wire fraud, as announced by United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
The case, presided over by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, also ordered Edwards to pay restitution of $189,850. Having led a fraud ring between July 2020 and September 2021, Edwards manipulated checks entrusted to the United States Postal Service, originally intended for local businesses. After altering the payee details, the checks were cashed or deposited by Edwards and his associates, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana.
Through the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Inspector General for the United States Postal Service, the criminal activities were uncovered leading to the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath, involved in the case's prosecution, elucidated the scope of the fraudulent activities. "Edwards and his associates were able to cash or deposit $189,850 in stolen funds over the time of the scheme." Edwards' co-defendant, connected to the same scheme, is yet to be sentenced, scheduled later this year.
