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Press Release

Two Florida Women Sentenced to Prison for Check Cashing Scheme

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Idaho

BOISE – Jennifer A. Gallagher, 32, of Margate, Florida, and Danielle M. Cook, 29, of Pembrooke Pines, Florida, were each sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Gallagher and Cook to serve three years of supervised release, and to jointly pay $26,500 in restitution. Both women pled guilty on December 18, 2014.

According to the plea agreements, Cook and Gallagher admitted that, between August 9th and 13th, 2014, they traveled to the District of Idaho to participate in a scheme to defraud financial institutions by cashing stolen checks. In particular, Cook and Gallagher admitted to obtaining stolen checks and driver's licenses, altering their appearances, including by the use of wigs, such that they would closely resemble the photographs on the stolen driver's licenses, then cashing the stolen checks through the far lane of numerous banks in the Treasure Valley. At least twelve such checks were cashed by Cook and Gallagher.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Ada County Sheriff's Office, the Meridian Police Department, and the Boise Police Department.

Updated March 9, 2015

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