A Goodyear man, Cory Jermaine White, Jr., age 31, has been handed down a sentence of nearly 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to check theft charges, as reported by the Department of Justice. According to court proceedings, White's elaborate scheme involved stealing checks from the U.S. Mail, setting up fake businesses in their names, and funneling the funds for personal use. In a case that showcases the deceptive depths some will stoop to for financial gain, White was ordered on July 16 to additionally pay over $8.4 million in restitution.
United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi presided over the case, imposing a 108-month sentence following White's December 2024 guilty plea to charges of conspiracies to commit bank and wire fraud, and money laundering. His cohort, consisting of six already-sentenced co-defendants, were found to have conspired to systematically divert legitimate checks intended for businesses to sham entities deliberately crafted to mirror the real victims, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office. These crimes not only impacted the immediate victims but also sought to irreparably erode the public's trust in the financial systems that underpin our society.
Indeed, the implications of such an offense run deep, affecting the integrity of the financial system at large. "White stole nearly $8.5 million in checks meant for legitimate businesses and used the money for lavish expenditures," said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. "His actions not only impacted the victims but also undermined the integrity of our financial systems." He emphasized the stern reminder that the law upholds strong deterrents against such misconduct, promising the continued effort to safeguard communities against financial malfeasance.
Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke of the FBI Phoenix Division echoed the sentiments on the gravity of White's fraudulent actions. "The fact this defendant and his co-conspirators would think to brazenly steal business checks from the U.S. Mail and scheme ways to deposit them for their own use is mind-boggling," Janke pointed out, highlighting the intentional and harmful nature of the conspirators' actions. The FBI's dedication to meticulously investigate and root out such crimes, as stated, underscores their commitment to protect Americans from financial predators. The investigation by the FBI Phoenix Division led to the untangling of White's scheme and, ultimately, through the assistance of U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Rapp, his conviction.
The case number for those who wish to observe the judicial proceedings and outcomes in more concrete detail is CR 23-01749- PHX-MTL, and further information can be found on the Department of Justice's official website, including more specific data about the case and the sentencing.
