21 people in Louisiana charged with stealing over $7 million from military members

In the Western District of Louisiana, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 21 defendants in connection with fraudulently stealing money from USAA Bank, Chase Bank and Navy Federal.

The indictment alleges that from Jan. 1, 2021, until Oct. 31, 2022, defendants Destane Glass, Sharmaine Jackson, Elijah Brown, Eric Loud, Arazhia Gully, Zarrajah Watkins, Maya Green, Olivia Deboe, Tina Bryant, Cynthia Bryant, Trameka McGinty, Shaquentalas McGinty, Donte Larrimore, Javonte Lejay, Octavia Mitchell, Lakysa Barfield, Shmarrian Taylor, Shamaya Pouncy, Precious Wilbert, Kyra Washington Bates and Rakeydra Shepherd willfully conspired to commit bank fraud.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown said, "these individuals collectively intended to cause almost $7 million in loss to USAA bank and their customers."

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Glass, Jackson, Brown and Loud worked with employees at the Teleperformance Call Center in Shreveport to obtain account information related to USAA Bank customers.

Brown said, "Shreveport was blessed with Teleperformance deciding to establish a call center to provide good paying jobs for our residents and these individuals cited in the indictment took advantage of these businesses. Teleperformance did not have to set up shop in Shreveport."

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The indictment alleges that Gully, Green and Watkins, who were employees at Teleperformance in Shreveport, provided account information. These accounts typically belonged to older bank customers with high account balances.

Using the account information provided, the co-conspirators made counterfeit checks drawn on USAA Bank and used social media and other methods to recruit individuals who were willing to have the counterfeit checks deposited into their bank accounts in exchange for money.

According to Brown, these customers were likely targeted because they were less likely to regularly check their account activity. "Instead of checking their accounts daily, or even a few times a week through the internet or through the use of mobile app, older customers often wait until the end of the month, and they check their credit statements," said Brown.

The indictment also charges defendants C. Bryant, T. Bryant, Green, Deboe,Wilbert and Shepherd with one count of knowingly possessing counterfeited security of USAA Bank with the intent to deceive.

The scheme went on for a year and a half and was discovered when local banks reported checks bouncing. With the efforts of the United State Secret Service, Federal Bureau Investigation, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department the 21 defendants were discovered and compiled into one case.

“This case should serve as a strong deterrent for criminal actors considering taking part in similar fraud schemes,” said Felton L. Joseph, Jr. Resident Agent in Charge. "The U.S. Secret Service and its law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and pursue prosecution of these alleged crimes in order to safeguard our communities.”

Although this situation was an inside scheme, Brown wants to remind the public to not give personal information over the phone and to be careful of things that sound too good to be true.

To read the full indictment, look at the gallery below:

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, an indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

More: Shreveport women charged with stealing over $1 million from military members of USAA bank

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 21 defendants charged in USAA bank fraud conspiracy case in Shreveport