Show-Me State Times

A New York resident has admitted to attempting to deposit more than $2.7 million in fraudulent checks at banks in Missouri and Illinois.

Gabrielle Borthwick, 23, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to six counts of financial institution fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft. As detailed in court documents, Borthwick obtained counterfeit cashier’s checks and used stolen personal information—including names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers—to open or attempt to open bank accounts using the identities of multiple victims without their consent.

Borthwick presented fake out-of-state driver’s licenses featuring her photograph but with victims’ identifying details. She claimed she had recently moved to Missouri and provided falsified utility and phone bills as supporting documentation. According to the plea agreement, she deposited counterfeit cashier’s checks ranging from $121,260 to $1.4 million at several banks, explaining the large amounts by saying she operated a wedding planning business.

After depositing the fake checks, Borthwick attempted to withdraw cash or transfer funds before bank officials detected the fraud. The total amount deposited was $2,773,280.65 across various banks in Missouri and one bank in Illinois; she successfully obtained $271,667.98 through these actions.

Sentencing is set for December 17. Each count of financial institution fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine; aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to other penalties plus up to a $250,000 fine. Borthwick will be required to repay the money taken.

The investigation involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations as well as local law enforcement agencies including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and police departments from Eureka, O’Fallon, Union (Missouri), and Edwardsville (Illinois). Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is handling prosecution for the case.

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