Show-Me State Times

Four Franklin County, Missouri men have been indicted on charges accusing them of stealing mail and using stolen checks to commit bank fraud.

According to the information provided in the indictment, the men - Matthew Cahill, Donald Anderson, Harvey Hale, and Joshua Hopkins - were each indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

The indictment alleges that the men obtained checks, bank account information, and personal identifying information by stealing incoming or outgoing mail from mailboxes or from homes and vehicles. They would then use this information to alter stolen checks or create counterfeit checks to pay for merchandise at local retailers, or to cash them. Additionally, they opened a bank account using the stolen information.

"Hopkins was arrested Wednesday, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. Cahill was arrested Feb. 23 and pleaded not guilty," the report stated. "Hale and Anderson are already in custody but have yet to appear in court."

The severity of the charges is highlighted by the potential penalties involved. Each conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud charge can lead to up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a penalty of two years in prison, consecutive to any other charge, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The stolen mail charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The investigating agencies involved in the case include the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and several police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke is prosecuting the case.

As the legal process moves forward, it is important to remember that "Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty."