Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
GAYLEN DASHON STEPHENS and LENIE EUGENE JENNINGS, both aged 29 from Oklahoma City, have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 40 months in federal prison. They are also ordered to pay restitution amounting to $177,964.74 for their involvement in a scheme involving stolen checks from the United States Mail. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Public records reveal that between March 2023 and October 2023, Stephens and Jennings conspired to forge checks stolen from the mail by altering the payee names and depositing them into bank accounts they had set up to withdraw cash. It is alleged that they attempted to steal approximately $277,000 during this period.
On July 17, 2024, both were indicted by a federal Grand Jury. Stephens pleaded guilty to bank fraud, admitting his role in depositing a fraudulent check with intent to defraud the bank. Jennings also pleaded guilty to bank fraud as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud and forgery of checks, acknowledging her collaboration with Stephens.
At their sentencing on July 21, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Stephens to 28 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. Jennings received a sentence of 12 months and one day in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Restitution was ordered at $177,964.74, reflecting the actual loss reported by victim banks; this amount is payable jointly by both defendants.
Judge Heaton highlighted that crimes like these undermine public trust in mail services and financial institutions. The sentences reflect the seriousness of their offenses and aim to deter similar conduct.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackson D. Eldridge.
For further details, reference can be made to public filings.
