"Serial Fraudster" Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Bank Fraud

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Ramsey Denwon Hampton, 49, of Chicago, has been ordered to serve 10 years in federal prison for defrauding IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union. On April 5, 2019, Hampton pleaded guilty to making false statements regarding his true identity to open an account at IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, wherein he deposited forged checks and withdrew funds. When Hampton was arrested, he possessed the identities of more than 800 individuals.

At sentencing, on Sept. 13, 2019, the government requested a sentence above the range prescribed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow agreed noting that Hampton is “a serial liar, a serial thief, and a serial fraudster,” and that Hampton’s criminal record and the manner in which he committed the offenses necessitated a sentence significantly higher than the Guidelines range. Judge Darrow found that Hampton committed a serious crime that required thought, intellect, scheming, and sophisticated methods to prey on his victims. In addition, Chief Judge Darrow noted that Hampton’s criminal record includes convictions for bank fraud, forgery, theft of mail, interstate transportation of stolen checks, check deception, deceptive practices, possession of fictitious driver’s licenses, identity theft, and aggravated identity theft.

The U.S. Secret Service and the Silvis Police Department conducted the criminal investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Raya prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.