Lafayette, Louisiana - A Louisiana man has been sentenced to 54 months in prison for committing bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Cameron Michael Marks, 26, of Jeanerette, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. and will also serve one year of supervised release.

The investigation into Marks' fraudulent activities began on July 12, 2022, when he was stopped by the Jeanerette Police Department for a traffic violation. When Marks was unable to provide a driver's license or proof of insurance, officers searched his vehicle and found 13 counterfeit Western Union money orders. A subsequent search of his mother's residence, where he had parked his vehicle, uncovered numerous fraudulent checks written on third-party businesses and individuals, as well as account opening documents and checkbooks bearing the names of these third parties but with Marks' physical address.

The United States Secret Service took over the investigation and found that Marks had obtained account information for third-party businesses fraudulently and used it to order checks. He then used these checks to deposit funds into bank accounts opened in the names of other individuals, without using his own identity. Marks admitted to issuing fraudulent checks totaling $240,275.71.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Jeanerette Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.