Jalen Tylee Hill, also known as "Roscoe Hill," was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison for leading a bank fraud and identity theft scheme. The Americus resident will also serve three years of supervised release, with restitution to be determined later. Hill pleaded guilty on May 14, 2024, to charges including bank fraud and conspiracy to possess stolen mail. Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner delivered the sentence on June 4.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker stated that fraudulent schemes will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia and emphasized the importance of vigilance in online activities and financial monitoring. Rodney M. Hopkins from the Atlanta Division commended law enforcement's efforts in dismantling the criminal network.
The investigation began when the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about mail theft and forged checks from a local church in December 2021. It was discovered that checks were stolen from mailboxes across Georgia, altered, and deposited into various accounts.
Hill recruited individuals via Facebook to deposit these checks into their accounts in exchange for splitting the funds. Over six months, he stole hundreds of pieces of mail and participated in numerous incidents of bank fraud resulting in an intended loss of approximately $165,743.68.
Several codefendants were also convicted for their roles in the scheme:
- Quontavius Markeese Hill received time served plus three years of supervised release.
- Accacia Renae Gordon was sentenced to four months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
- Shaneria Sharae Murray received a 45-day prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release.
- Chelsea Ja'Nay Tullis was sentenced to one month in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
- LaQuashia Nichole French received a 15-day prison sentence followed by four years of supervised release.
- Jazmon Lace Whitehead was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
- Chasity LaCole Wellons received three years of supervised release.
- DeKeyvia Moasha Blackshear was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
- Janita Bre'Shaye Terry received three years of supervised release.
- Kelbresha Danielle Thomas was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
- Jenetta Small received two years of supervised release.
- Tyavia Deashia Richardson was sentenced to one year of supervised release.
- Kimbreyanna Andranique Peeples received one year of supervised release.
The case involved investigations by multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and U.S Secret Service (USSS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case.
