Evergreen Reporter

Frank Lassen Garay, a 45-year-old resident of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for bank fraud. This will be followed by four years of supervised release. The sentencing follows Garay's guilty plea.

Court documents reveal that between November and December 2022, Garay passed fifteen fraudulent checks, acquiring vehicles and jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the fall of 2022, he received a settlement check for $15,066.95 from a law firm related to a legal dispute. On November 3, 2022, he cashed this check at a bank and received $10,000 in cash along with a cashier’s check for the remaining amount. Using the banking information from these checks, Garay created over a dozen fraudulent checks.

The fraudulent purchases included cleaning services and several vehicles such as a Lincoln MKT, BMWs, GMC Sierra, Acura TL, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Forrest River Trailer, Honda Accord, and Nexus Triumph RV. He also purchased jewelry using these fake checks.

Garay used his real identification details during each transaction and even posed for pictures with one of the vehicles at the dealership. Most companies only realized the fraud after he had left with the purchased items.

Garay has been involved in similar activities for over 15 years with previous convictions including theft and forgery among others.

John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana stated: “In less than a month, Garay went on a buying spree that would put even the most brazen car thief to shame.” He emphasized that economic crimes like these severely impact businesses and individuals financially.

Special Agent in Charge Ike Barnes from the U.S. Secret Service highlighted that financial fraud affects more than just financial infrastructure; it impacts real-life victims who lose thousands of dollars due to such crimes.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and Judge James P. Hanlon imposed the sentence. Acting U.S. Attorney Childress expressed gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman who prosecuted this case.