Toddorius Goodwin, a 34-year-old resident of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in a check fraud scheme targeting banks and credit unions in Utah. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell.
In addition to the prison term, Goodwin will serve five years of supervised release and must pay over $214,000 in restitution to the financial institutions affected by his actions. In August 2024, Goodwin pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity fraud.
Court documents reveal that between April and October 2022, Goodwin and his associates traveled from Georgia to Utah multiple times as part of an elaborate check fraud operation. They recruited local individuals facing financial hardship to act as "runners," who would enter banks to cash counterfeit checks at their own risk. The group stole payroll checks from private mailboxes, altered them with the recruits' names, and instructed these individuals on how to cash them through earpieces.
The scheme resulted in the successful cashing of counterfeit checks totaling at least $214,179.51 within a few months.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins emphasized the importance of addressing financial fraud: “Seeking justice for financial fraud is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” she stated. “Mr. Goodwin’s behavior demonstrates a disrespect for the law and the community."
Chris Miller, Special Agent in Charge at HSI Las Vegas, condemned exploiting vulnerable individuals: “Exploiting the vulnerable to commit check fraud is not only a crime against the law but a grave injustice against humanity," he said.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with Special Assistant United States Attorney Sachi Jepson prosecuting the case.