Sumter County man sentenced for multi-state bank fraud scheme

A man from Sumter County has been sentenced for his role in a bank fraud scheme that spanned Alabama and Mississippi. 

Eddarrius Tyjuan Wallace, 37, of York, was sentenced to five years and was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.

“This type of fraud is a double problem: it steals money from the federal government and undermines the integrity of our banking system,” said Williams. “My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who steal from the government and manipulate the financial system for personal gain.”

Wallace reportedly "organized and managed" the conspiracy between June and September 2023. The scheme targeted fraudulent deposit and withdrawal of United States Treasury checks.

In 2023 a bank in Tuscaloosa reported two U.S. Treasury checks with forged endorsements. It was found that the scheme netted more than $1.8 million.

In September of that year Madison Police Department in Mississippi arrested Wallace and five others. He was found to have $11,969 in cash on his person. A fraudulent identification card, mail, and multiple bank debit cards that did not match those of the occupants were also found.

Wallace later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.