A man from Corsicana, Texas, was recently taken into custody by FBI special agents. The man is currently facing mail fraud and theft charges because of his alleged theft of almost $17 million from the Collin Street Bakery.
The 64-year-old man was the corporate controller at the Collin Street Bakery, located in Corsicana, from February 1998 until June 21, 2013. He was fired after an accounting clerk uncovered his alleged crime. He allegedly made checks from the company be written to his personal creditors. Then, he reportedly would manipulate the bakery’s computer system to show those checks had been voided. He kept the books in balance by making fake checks to the bakery’s vendors in the same amount as those he sent to creditors. The bakery also filed a civil suit against him to recover their funds.
The federal investigation claims that 888 checks were fraudulently sent to the man’s personal creditors. Federal agents searched the man’s home twice in a three week period. He was taken into custody after the agents loaded a van with new evidence. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of mail fraud. In addition, he could be ordered to pay restitution to his alleged victims.
White-collar crimes, such as those in this case, and theft charges can have a huge impact on a person’s life. This man faces long prison sentences and high fines. The charges of moral turpitude may also affect his future in other, more far reaching, ways. However, these types of cases can also be extremely complex. An attorney may be able to help the man make decisions about making a plea deal or how to best defend himself at trial.
Source: Corsican Daily Sun, “Jenkins in federal lockup over bakery theft charges (with link to court complaint)“, August 13, 2013