SPOKANE MAN SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS FOR BANK FRAUD CONSPIRACY, MAIL THEFT, AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jonny Shineflew, age 48, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced  to a 70-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty on March 25, 2021, to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, one count of Mail Theft, and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft.  United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice also imposed a five-year term of court supervision after Shineflew is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, between March 15 and July 31, 2018, Shineflew entered into an agreement with co-defendants and others to commit bank fraud. Shineflew and his co-defendants unlawfully obtained checks, altered the stolen checks, and presented the altered checks for payment at financial institutions and businesses for the use and benefit of the members of the conspiracy. Shineflew and his co-conspirators utilized computer equipment and printers to create false identifications to be used in connection with presenting the fraudulent checks for payment, at times using the identities of real people without their knowledge or consent. Shineflew was recorded passing some of the fraudulent checks on security video. 

During a search of Shineflew’s apartment, which he shared with other members of the conspiracy, investigators seized computers, printers, blank identification cards, stolen checks, lists with personal identifying information for third parties, and empty envelopes for commercial checks stolen from the mail, issued in the total amount of $458,498.00.  The conspiracy resulted in $29,453.15 of actual loss.

Shineflew was the last remaining defendant in this case to be sentenced.  Angus Johnston, 36, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Mail Theft, and Aggravated Identity Theft, and was sentenced to 60 months; Michael Slater, 48, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and was sentenced to 21 months; Anthony Wright, 36, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and was sentenced to 7 months; Jordan Yates, 26, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and was sentenced to 99 days; Jared Pilon, 34, of Spokane, Washington, Tabitha Shineflew, 32, of Spokane, Washington, Britney McDaniel, 30, of Spokane, Washington, Andrianna McCrea, 30, of Spokane, Washington, and Tyler Bordelon, 30, of Mead, Washington, each pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and were sentenced to time served.  All these defendants were sentenced to a five-year term of court supervision following release from custody and ordered to pay restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The sentence imposed sends a strong message. Crimes such as bank fraud, mail theft, and identity theft should not be taken lightly.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners will continue to work closely and bring to justice those individuals who may engage in such conduct.  I commend the work of the United States Postal Inspector’s Office and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office who investigated this case.” 

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector’s Office, in cooperation with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

2:19-CR-00215-TOR-2