The final defendant and ringleader of a bank fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme involving stolen checks and a fake online recruiting website was sentenced to federal prison on Wednesday.
Jalen Tylee Hill, also known as “Roscoe Hill,” 26, of Americus, was sentenced to serve 81 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
The court will determine the amount of restitution at a later date. Hill previously pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to possess stolen mail on May 14, 2024.
A codefendant, Victoria Lynn Carter, 25, of Americus, was sentenced to serve one year of supervised release after she previously pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. The sentences were handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner on June 4. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Schemes to defraud and steal from citizens will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “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.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a local church in December 2021 about mail theft and forged checks.
During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that numerous checks had been stolen out of mailboxes at residential and commercial locations in Georgia. The checks were then forged and deposited into other bank accounts.
Specifically, the checks were often altered by having the “Pay To” designation changed to an individual involved in the fraud. That individual would then make a deposit into their banking account. Other times, the checks would be altered by computer software.
Investigators discovered that Hill directed the scheme and would recruit people via Facebook. Hill would often offer to deposit stolen, forged, or duplicated checks into the bank accounts of the recruits on the condition that they would split the funds in half.
Investigators determined that in six months, Hill stole hundreds of pieces of mail, participated in at least 68 incidents of bank fraud, and unlawfully used debit cards belonging to other individuals on at least 14 occasions.
Hill then deposited, or attempted to deposit, numerous stolen, forged, or otherwise fraudulent checks from more than ten financial institutions into other bank accounts, resulting in an intended loss of approximately $165,743.68.
As part of another scheme discovered by investigators, Hill created a fake solar panel installation company recruiting page online, from which he stole the identities of 28 individuals, including their driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, birth certificates, instructional permits, and other documents that contained personally identifiable information.
The co-defendants listed below have been convicted for their participation in the crime.
Quontavius Markeese Hill, 34, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and, after serving more than eight months in custody, was sentenced to time served plus three years of supervised release and to pay $10,815.89 restitution on November 8, 2023.
Accacia Renae Gordon, 24, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve four months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and to pay $14,970.35 restitution on January 15, 2025.
Shaneria Sharae Murray, 33, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve 45 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and to pay $2,000 in restitution on December 2, 2024.
Chelsea Ja’Nay Tullis, 29, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve one month in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on March 15, 2024.
LaQuashia Nichole French, 24, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve 15 days in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and to pay $2,227.91 in restitution on October 23, 2024.
Jazmon Lace Whitehead, 31, of Oglethorpe, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $7,658.59 restitution on March 17, 2025.
Chasity LaCole Wellons, 31, of Cordele, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $2,000 restitution on January 22, 2025.
DeKeyvia Moasha Blackshear, 26, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release on August 16, 2024.
Janita Bre’Shaye Terry, 24, of Columbus, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release on December 2, 2024.
Kelbresha Danielle Thomas, 30, of Oglethorpe, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release on December 2, 2024.
Jenetta Small, 29, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve two years of supervised release on March 14, 2025.
Tyavia Deashia Richardson, 24, of Americus, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to one year of supervised release and to pay $4,740 restitution on August 14, 2024.
Kimbreyanna Andranique Peeples, 23, of Butler, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to serve one year of supervised release on December 2, 2024.
