Source: Office of United States Attorneys
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Bronx, Ny., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank fraud involving a scheme to obtain fraudulent automobile loans using stolen identities.
Theo D. Cooke, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of bank fraud.
According to court documents, Cooke submitted applications online for automobile loans from local financial institutions. To complete the loan applications, Cooke used the personal information of an identity theft victim, which included the identity theft victim’s name, date of birth, and social security number. Cooke also submitted false and fraudulent supporting documentation with the loan application which consisted of a fake Certificate of Title for the automobile purportedly being purchased, a fake pay stub in the name of the identity theft victim, and a fraudulent Missouri-Proof of Auto Insurance Card in the name of the identity theft victim.
After the loan application was approved, Cooke visited a bank branch location where he signed a security agreement and/or a promissory note in the name of the identity theft victim. Cooke also presented a fraudulent driver’s license with his picture, but the information of the identity theft victim to bank personnel to finalize the loan. Through this scheme, which occurred from approximately January through May 2023, Cooke victimized multiple banks in Missouri and the victim banks paid out at least $199,000 based on Cooke’s fraudulent automobile loans.
Under federal statutes, Cooke is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Cooper. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.