An Atlanta man has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for his involvement in bank fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and illegal firearm possession. Jamontez Jaquavious Cofield, aged 24, was apprehended by an Alabama State Trooper during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Baldwin County in April 2024.
Court documents reveal that during the stop, Cofield admitted to having marijuana and a loaded pistol in his vehicle. The trooper seized the firearm after Cofield acknowledged he was prohibited from possessing it due to prior felony convictions. In 2018, Cofield had been convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and firearm possession during a felony assault in LaGrange, Georgia.
A search of Cofield's vehicle uncovered 38 stolen business checks valued at $43,482. These checks were made payable to businesses in Atlanta and contained personal information of identity-theft victims who had not authorized their use. Cofield confessed that a coconspirator he met via social media provided him with the stolen checks. He intended to sell them at a meeting location in Mobile.
Further investigation into Cofield's cell phone revealed evidence of counterfeit check fraud activities along with photos and videos depicting bulk cash, narcotics, and firearms.
United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Cofield to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. During this period, he will undergo drug testing and treatment. While no fine was imposed, Judge DuBose ordered him to pay $100 in special assessments and forfeited his gun and ammunition to the United States.
The case announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello from the Southern District of Alabama. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case for the government.