FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. — Four men have been indicted for stealing mail and using stolen checks to commit bank fraud in Franklin County, Missouri.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office for the eastern district of Missouri, Matthew Cahill, 39, Donald Anderson, 35, Harvey Hale, 47, and Joshua Hopkins, 34, were accused and indicted on February 21 in U.S District Court in St. Louis. The charges consisted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Hopkins is facing additional charges due to multiple counts of aggravated identity theft, according to the U.S. Attorney's press release statement. Cahill is also facing charges of multiple counts of aggravated identity theft as well as possession of stolen mail.
Both Hopkins and Cahill were arrested, appeared in court, and pleaded not guilty, according to Public Relations Specialist Robert Patrick of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The indictment alleges that the crimes began no later than February 2020, according to the press release. During that time, the men stole incoming and outgoing mail from mailboxes, homes, and vehicles giving them direct access to checks, bank account information, and personal identifying information.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said that each conspiracy to commit bank fraud is punishable by 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both. They also said that the aggravated identity charges carry a penalty of two years in prison, consecutive to any other charges, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The stolen mail charge punishment is up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Right now these charges are considered accusations that were made after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments in the cities of Washington, Union, Eureka, St. Clair, and St. Charles investigated the case.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support, and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence, or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
