Three Middle Georgia residents sentenced in federal bank fraud and identity theft scheme

Three residents from Oglethorpe and Butler received supervised release in connection to a stolen mail and forged checks scheme that resulted in more than $165,000 in intended losses.

ALBANY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Three Middle Georgia residents have been sentenced for their roles in a bank fraud and identity theft scheme led by an Americus man, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

31-year-old Jazmon Lace Whitehead and 30-year-old Kelbresha Danielle Thomas, both of Oglethorpe, and 23-year-old Kimbreyanna Andranique Peeples, of Butler, each pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. Whitehead was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $7,658.59 in restitution on March 17. Thomas was sentenced to three years of supervised release on December 2, 2024. Peeples was sentenced to one year of supervised release on the same day.

The ringleader, 26-year-old Jalen Tylee Hill, also known as “Roscoe Hill,” of Americus, was sentenced Wednesday to 81 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on May 14, 2024, to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to possess stolen mail. The court will determine restitution at a later date. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, the investigation began in December 2021 when the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a local church about stolen mail and forged checks. Law enforcement learned that checks were being stolen from mailboxes, altered and deposited into various bank accounts. Some checks were changed using computer software or had the “Pay To” line manually edited.

Federal investigators said Hill recruited people through Facebook and offered to deposit stolen or forged checks into their bank accounts in exchange for half the money. In a six-month period, Hill stole hundreds of pieces of mail, took part in at least 68 instances of bank fraud and used stolen debit cards at least 14 times. The intended financial loss totaled $165,743.68. Hill also created a fake online solar panel company to collect driver’s licenses, Social Security cards and other personal documents from 28 victims.

“Schemes to defraud and steal from citizens will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia,” Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker said. “This case serves as a reminder for all of us to be as vigilant as possible with what we share online and monitor our financial accounts.”

In all, 15 people were convicted in the case.