News Summary
Destane Glass, a 24-year-old from Shreveport, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for her key role in a bank fraud conspiracy costing over $2 million. Along with her co-defendants, she exploited vulnerabilities in banking systems, targeting elderly customers. In total, Glass faces over 14 years in federal prison after previous convictions related to the Paycheck Protection Program fraud.
Shreveport Woman Sentenced for Role in Bank Fraud Scheme
Shreveport, Louisiana – Destane Glass, a 24-year-old woman from Shreveport, was sentenced to 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in federal prison for her leadership role in a bank fraud conspiracy. Glass was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and is required to pay approximately $539,578 in restitution. Her prison sentence will run consecutively with a previously imposed sentence of 37 months for defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), bringing her total time in federal prison to 14 years and 4 months.
The fraudulent scheme primarily targeted customers of USAA Federal Savings Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Glass, identified as the ringleader among 20 accomplices, was indicted in April 2024 following an investigation into a conspiracy that lasted from January 2021 until October 2022. During this period, she and her co-defendants gained unauthorized access to sensitive financial information, exploiting vulnerabilities in the system.
Details of the Fraud Scheme
Glass orchestrated the scheme by instructing her accomplices to target elderly customers with substantial account balances, as these individuals were less likely to consistently monitor their accounts. By accessing bank account details through employees at Teleperformance— a company responsible for handling USAA member calls—Glass and her team were able to create counterfeit checks amounting to over $2.1 million derived from the accounts they accessed.
To execute the scheme, Glass recruited individuals in the Shreveport area through social media platforms. These recruits were directed to deposit the counterfeit checks into their personal bank accounts. Once the checks were cashed, the funds were swiftly withdrawn, often at local casinos, and subsequently distributed among the participants of the scheme.
Legal Outcomes and Investigation
Most of the 20 co-defendants involved in the conspiracy have entered guilty pleas and received their respective sentences. Glass also faced an additional 65 charges of identity theft associated with the USAA case. The investigation into the fraud was extensive, incorporating efforts from federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the Shreveport Police Department.
The banking institution at the center of the fraudulent activities, USAA Bank, had relocated its headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona, by the time these crimes were discovered. Previously based in San Antonio, Texas, USAA had transitioned to its new location amidst an evolving financial landscape.
Background on the Paycheck Protection Program Fraud
In addition to her bank fraud activities, Destane Glass was previously convicted of defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program, a federal program designed to help small businesses during economic downturns. This earlier conviction resulted in a 37-month prison sentence, underscoring the aggressive tactics Glass employed in her fraudulent operations across different financial institutions.
The case against Glass serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities existing within banking systems and the potential for exploitation by individuals targeting unsuspecting customers, particularly seniors. The imposed sentence reflects not only the severity of her actions but also the broader implications for financial security and consumer protection in the banking sector.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Express News
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate
- WGNO
- KTAL News
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- Wikipedia: Bank Fraud
- Google Search: Bank Fraud Louisiana
- Google Scholar: Bank Fraud Schemes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bank Fraud
- Google News: Destane Glass Bank Fraud
