Two-time bank fraudster sentenced to four years in prison

ATLANTA - Michael Adeola Akhiero has been sentenced for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft concerning his use of victims’ personal and bank account information to create and deposit counterfeit checks totaling more than $250,000. Akhiero committed the offenses after having previously been convicted of bank fraud and while serving a term of supervised release.

“Akhiero chose to reoffend rather than rehabilitate,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His actions caused substantial financial losses to numerous victims and banks.  His fraud and greed has resulted in the loss of his freedom and hopefully sends a powerful message of deterrence to others.”

“Clearly, Akhiero has not learned the lesson, that crime doesn’t pay, so he will continue to face justice for his repeated fraudulent actions,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI will continue to aggressively investigate those criminals who attempt to defraud our nation’s financial infrastructure.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: Shortly after Akhiero’s release from federal prison for a prior bank fraud conviction, he engaged in a fraudulent check scheme and deposited numerous counterfeit checks purportedly issued from corporate and individual victims’ bank accounts. Between October 2019 and May 2022, Akhiero used stolen identity and bank account information to create these counterfeit checks. He then deposited the fake checks into his personal and business bank accounts resulting in the withdrawal of over $250,000 from multiple victims’ accounts.

Michael Adeola Akhiero, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to four years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $77,200. Akhiero was convicted on these charges on August 1, 2023, after he pleaded guilty.

The Court also found that Akhiero violated the terms of his supervised release from his prior bank fraud case when he committed new criminal conduct, in addition to other violations. The Court revoked his supervised release term and sentenced him to one year in prison, to run concurrently with his four-year prison term for bank fraud and identity theft.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly K. Connors prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.