EAST ST. LOUIS — A Georgia man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for leading a bank fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted financial institutions across central and southern Illinois, federal officials announced Wednesday.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Traveon H. Reese, 31, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He admitted to orchestrating a check-cashing conspiracy that involved stealing business checks and identities from local business owners between March and May 2023.
Reese’s sentence will be served following a 20-year term on related state charges in Iowa.
Four co-defendants also pleaded guilty and received prison sentences for their roles in the conspiracy. Brandon R. Cooperwood, 25, of Rex, Georgia, was sentenced to 42 months; DeMarcos M. Miller, 22, of Atlanta, received 36 months; T’ziah T. Thomas, 25, of Villa Rica, was sentenced to 36 months; and Joshua C. Pruitt, 25, of Rex, Georgia, is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 26 in East St. Louis.
According to court documents, Reese and his co-conspirators stole checks from the mail, copied account information, and printed fraudulent checks bearing forged signatures. They then recruited individuals, often from homeless shelters or bus terminals, to cash the bogus checks at banks in communities including Arthur, Champaign, Charleston, Collinsville, Effingham, Greenup, Marion, Marshall, Oblong, Olney, Royalton, Sigel, Teutopolis, and Waterloo.
The group attempted to cash 26 checks, with an intended loss exceeding $93,000. The actual financial loss suffered by the institutions was estimated at nearly $47,000.
“This conspiracy victimized numerous hardworking people across central and southern Illinois by trying to cash bogus checks belonging to legitimate businesses at local financial institutions, leaving the banks on the hook and causing them financial harm when successful,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. He praised the extensive investigation conducted by local police, Illinois State Police, and the FBI.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly emphasized the impact of such crimes on business owners.
“Identity theft and bank fraud can financially decimate a business owner's life,” Kelly said. “ISP special agents will continue to work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to fully investigate these cases to help bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The Illinois State Police led the investigation with assistance from the FBI Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross is prosecuting the case.
