Six Face Federal Charges in Bank Fraud Scheme Using Car Burglaries
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 28, 2013 |
PLANO, TX—Six individuals have been indicted in connection with a bank fraud scheme operating in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
An 11-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on August 15, 2013, charging six individuals in the scheme. The indictment specifically charges one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. Those named in the indictment include:
- Craig Dwayne Tobias, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida;
- Keevan Iszeal Coney, 22, of Fort Lauderdale;
- Makeisha Ann Williams, 36, of Garland, Texas;
- Antonio Perez Barfield, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida;
- Atamian Rajuan Johnson, 31, of Rivera Beach, Florida;
- Misty Dawn Hendrix, 37, of Seagoville, Texas
According to the indictment, the defendants are alleged to have devised a scheme in which they stole bank checks, bank cards, and personal identification cards from locations such as daycare facilities, gyms, and public parks throughout the Metroplex area and elsewhere. The thefts were typically from motor vehicles and were made via forcible entry. The stolen bank cards were usually used within minutes of the theft, often at gas stations, convenience stores, or retail stores. The bank checks were cashed at banks in Denton, Irving, Bedford, Grapevine, Mesquite, Garland, and Dallas using drive-thru teller lanes and rented vehicles.
Hendrix and Williams appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Don Bush for an initial appearance on August 26, 2013. Tobias, Johnson, and Coney appeared before Judge Bush on August 27, 2013. Barfield remains at large.
If convicted of the conspiracy charge, the defendants face up to 30 years in federal prison. They face an additional two years in federal prison for each of the aggravated identity theft charges.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Plano Police Department with assistance from various agencies throughout the area. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Eason.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.