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Found Guilty of Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Money Laundering Bear Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison

Publication date: 
Wednesday, December 22, 2021

WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that a resident of Bear, Delaware was sentenced on Tuesday to 36 months in prison for committing wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering against several banks, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), and Sutter Health, a California healthcare company. Proven losses from the defendant’s schemes totaled approximately $225,000.  United States District Judge Leonard P. Stark pronounced sentence.

According to court documents and testimony at the August 2021 trial, Aaron Davis, 44, engaged in a series of schemes with unknown accomplices to defraud the SSA, Sutter Health, Citizens Bank, and SunTrust Bank between July 2017 and October 2017.  One scheme involved serially opening bank accounts; depositing money fraudulently taken from Sutter Health and the SSA into those accounts; and withdrawing the money before those funds could be verified.  Another scheme involved depositing fraudulent checks into bank accounts and withdrawing funds before the fraudulent nature of the checks could be detected.  A third money laundering scheme involved moving the illegally acquired money from one bank account into another to make the funds appear legitimate. 

U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “In a matter of only four months, Mr. Davis successfully stole approximately $225,000 while attempting to steal almost $1.3 million.  His schemes victimized the SSA, a nonprofit healthcare company, and banks, all of which provide vital services to millions of individuals across the country.  I commend the FBI and the SSA Office of the Inspector General for their steadfast commitment to ensuring justice in this case.” 

“Those facilitating and committing money laundering will continue to be investigated, prosecuted, and as in Mr. Davis’ case, sentenced to a significant term of imprisonment”, said Thomas J. Sobocinski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI applauds the efforts of our partners in the SSA Office of the Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office in bringing Mr. Davis to justice. These complex financial crimes often require a web of individuals concealing monetary transactions in order to abscond with their illicit funds, the FBI is committed to unraveling these networks”.

The FBI’s Wilmington Resident Agency and SSA’s Office of the Inspector General investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher R. Howland and Shamoor Anis prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 19-CR-101-LPS.

Additional Details
URL
Component
USAO - Delaware;
OIG
Social Security Administration OIG