Man gets 12 year sentence for local bank scam

Posted on August 25, 2017

A judge sentenced Reginald Cooper to 12-years in prison for organizing a continuing financial crime enterprise. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A man convicted of running a local bank fraud scam is headed to prison.

McLean County Judge Casey Costigan sentenced Reginald Cooper, 25, to 12-years in prison for organizing a continuing financial crime enterprise, which is a Class X felony.

At Friday’s sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence that Cooper arranged to have 13 people open multiple checking accounts and deposit forged checks into those accounts. Cooper would quickly withdraw money from ATM’s before the banks determined the checks were forged.

Prosecutors said Cooper pocketed about seven-thousand dollars from the scam.

The State’s Attorney’s office recommended a 20-year sentence, while Cooper’s attorney asked for the minimum six-year sentence.

Authorities said the crime carries heightened penalities because it involves luring others into criminal activity who might otherwise not be involved in breaking the law.

A jury found Cooper guilty of the charge earlier this month.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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