A Georgia man has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after admitting his role in leading a check cashing conspiracy that targeted local business owners and financial institutions across central and southern Illinois.
Traveon H. Reese, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Reese’s federal prison term will begin after he completes a 20-year sentence for similar charges in Iowa.
According to court documents, Reese and his co-conspirators stole business checks from the mail, copied account information, and used forged signatures to print and cash fraudulent checks between March and May 2023. They recruited individuals, often from local homeless shelters or bus terminals, to cash the bogus checks at financial institutions in multiple Illinois communities. In total, the group attempted to cash 26 checks, seeking to steal at least $93,413.19, with actual losses to banks totaling about $46,842.47.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft credited the extensive investigation by local police, Illinois State Police, and the FBI. “This conspiracy victimized numerous hardworking people across central and southern Illinois… leaving the banks on the hook and causing them financial harm when successful,” Weinhoeft said.
ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly added, “Identity theft and bank fraud can financially decimate a business owner’s life. 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 conspiracy affected banks in Arthur, Champaign, Charleston, Collinsville, Effingham, Greenup, Marion, Marshall, Oblong, Olney, Royalton, Sigel, Teutopolis, and Waterloo.
Additional co-defendants include:
Brandon R. Cooperwood, 25, Rex, Georgia – 42 months’ imprisonment
DeMarcos M. Miller, 22, Atlanta, Georgia – 36 months’ imprisonment
T’ziah T. Thomas, 25, Villa Rica, Georgia – 36 months’ imprisonment
Joshua C. Pruitt, 25, Rex, Georgia – sentencing scheduled for February 26 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis
The Illinois State Police led the investigation, assisted by the FBI Springfield Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross.