Federal and International, Law and Order

DOJ: Crete Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison


For Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

Hammond, IN-(ENEWSPF)- Wendell Burts, 25 years old, of Crete, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGiulio after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Burts was sentenced to 27 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $190,178 to the victim bank that incurred the loss

According to documents in the case, between October 2020 and June 2021, Burts participated in a scheme with another individual to steal funds from customer accounts at the bank where the other individual was employed. The bank employee provided Burts with customers’ personal identification information, including names, social security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and recent account transaction details. Burts used this confidential information to make changes to the accounts online and electronically transfer funds. Records show that 11 bank accounts were impacted by the scheme. Burts and his co-conspirator attempted to steal over $480,000 and were successful in stealing $190,178. The bank employee was also charged in this case, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.

This is a release from the United States Department of Justice.


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