ST. LOUIS, MO - A federal grand jury indicted Wendell Bryant, 43, and Ciera Moreland, 34, on one count of bank fraud conspiracy and Bryant on one count of bank fraud.
According to the indictment, beginning in or around September 2019 and ending in or around November 2019, Bryant and Moreland conspired with each other to defraud three financial institutions by submitting fraudulent vehicle loan applications. Bryant and Moreland obtained loans from the financial institutions to purchase vehicles that were not in the custody or control of auto dealer STL Power Motors, operated by Bryant.
Moreland submitted loan applications to Neighbors Credit Union, Together Credit Union, and Vantage Credit Union, including false and fraudulent income verification. Bryant would then fax automobile purchase orders to the financial institutions for vehicles that were not in the possession of STL Power Motors.
Once Moreland obtained the loan proceeds from the credit unions, the funds were dispersed between Bryant and Moreland.
Bank fraud carries a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.000. The same penalties apply to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
