NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A federal jury convicted Virginia Beach man last night of bank fraud and identity theft offenses.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Richard Huff, 53, agreed to cash auto loan checks that were fraudulently obtained in the names of stolen identities as part of a conspiracy to defraud Navy Federal Credit Union. When applying for the auto loans, Huff’s co-conspirators identified Huff as the seller of new and used Mercedes and BMWs that Huff did not own and was not authorized to sell. At the time the applications were made, the vehicles proffered as collateral for the loans were listed for sale at car dealerships located in Hampton and Newport News. In July 2016, Huff presented two fraudulent loan checks for cashing at Navy Federal Credit Union branches in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Huff used his cell phone to create video recordings of both transactions. On July 13, 2016, Huff successfully cashed a $40,000 check. Huff was arrested when he attempted to cash a $45,000 check on July 20, 2016.
The jury convicted Huff of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Huff faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison to run consecutive to a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison when sentenced on October 25. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr., accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin C. Gratton and Howard J. Zlotnick are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:17-cr-18.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
