(Source: The Evening News and The Tribune)
By Matt Thacker, The Evening News and the Tribune, Jeffersonville, Ind.
Aug. 21--Seven people, including a Henryville woman, have pleaded guilty in a check-fraud scheme that spanned three states.
The co-conspirators allegedly cashed more than $179,000 worth of stolen rebate checks at local banks, according to a press release by the Department of Justice.
Darren E. Moate, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to stealing the rebate checks from Global Fulfillment Services in Phoenix. Moate's girlfriend then mailed the checks to people in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Laura L. Cornett, 27, of Henryville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in May.
The money taken from local banks was allegedly given to Wilfredo Y. Pasion, 53, of Floyds Knobs.
Pasion is scheduled for a hearing Sept. 22 in the United States District Court of Western Kentucky.
Several local banks fell victim between January and June 2006, including PNC Bank in Sellersburg, Your Community Bank in Jeffersonville, Stockyards Bank and Trust in Floyds Knobs and Republic Bank and Trust Company in New Albany.
The co-conspirators face up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.
Armed robber pleads guilty
A Charlestown man pleaded guilty Monday to committing four armed bank robberies in Kentucky.
Rodney Wayne Prewitt, 40, admitted to robbing banks in Radcliffe, Glasgow, Paducah and Lawrenceburg, Ky. In total, he took almost $1,700, according to court records.
According to the plea agreement, Prewitt could face up to 100 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Joshua D. Blackwell, 20, of Sellersburg, pleaded guilty Aug. 4 to aiding and abetting Prewitt in two of the robberies. Blackwell admitted being the getaway driver.
Blackwell is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 3 in the United States District Court of Western Kentucky. Prewitt will be sentenced Dec. 8.
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