A Houston man is being accused of multiple crimes this week. The theft charges include conspiracy, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Investigators say the man worked with others to submit counterfeit checks and fraudulent withdrawal slips to Capital One Bank.
They say that he somehow accessed personal information, including account numbers from eight bank customers, withdrawing nearly $86,000 from their accounts over two months. The man was arrested by Secret Service agents this week, and could face serious jail time and fines if he is convicted.
According to one report, a conviction of the 17 counts against him could carry a punishment of up to 30 years in prison and fines of $1 million. This punishment is severe, and this man’s charges will take a rigorous defense.
Not only could these charges carry a heavy punishment, but just having charges before a conviction can seriously damage a person’s reputation in their professional and personal lives. Having a charge like this could cause issues with the man’s employer, especially if he works in a financial industry. Given the fact that he faces a felony could further complicate his employment.
A criminal defense attorney can help a person conduct an independent investigation and look into how the authorities came to their charges. They can make sure that law enforcement doesn’t overstep their bounds and that you are treated fairly throughout the legal process. If you are ever charged or arrested for a crime relating to theft, it might be wise to consult a Houston area criminal defense attorney.
Source: Tomball News, “Former Capital One Bank Employee Indicted for Bank Fraud, ID Theft,” Jan. 18, 2012