A woman from Bangor has admitted in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Nichole Kelley, 46, pleaded guilty to the charge on Monday in U.S. District Court in Bangor.
Court documents state that between July and October 2024, Kelley worked with others to obtain money illegally by entering banks and pretending to be legitimate account holders. She used fake identification cards to access accounts and withdraw funds. Investigators found two counterfeit driver’s licenses bearing other individuals’ names but displaying Kelley’s photograph during a search of a co-conspirator's home.
Authorities also said that Kelley conspired with others to travel outside Maine for the purpose of impersonating customers at banks and withdrawing money from their accounts.
Kelley could face up to 30 years in prison, a fine of as much as $1 million, and up to five years of supervised release. Sentencing will take place after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigative report. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from the Bangor Police Department, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Enforcement Services Division.
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