An investigation, which was initiated by the Pearisburg Police Department, has led to a Greensboro man pleading guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court for his role in a check cashing scheme at various Wal-Mart stores, including the one in Pearisburg.

Anthony D. Oakes, 32, of Greensboro pled guilty of one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He will be sentenced in Roanoke on August 18, 2008.

Oaks was originally charged with six counts of uttering a counterfeit security, and one count each of identification document fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity fraud and conspiracy.

According to court records, Oakes, along with co-conspirator Bart K. Mullins, age 29, also of Greensboro, North Carolina, was charged in a 26-count indictment on February 7, 2008 on numerous charges related to a check-cashing scheme and identity theft.

Mullins was charged with 14 counts of uttering a counterfeit security, two counts of identification document fraud and one count each of bank fraud, aggravated identity fraud and conspiracy. Mullins is currently a fugitive.

According to the indictment, Mullins and Oakes were involved in a scheme to enrich themselves by obtaining money through fraud, deception and deceit. Between Dec. 21, 2007 and Dec. 23, 2007, Mullins and Oaes, both using a variety of aliases, used counterfeit securities and counterfeit payroll checks to purchase items and obtain cash from several Wal-Mart stores in the Western District of Virginia, and elsewhere.

In order to utter the counterfeit checks, the defendants utilized multiple counterfeit North Carolina Driver’s Licenses. The fraudulent drivers licenses contained a variety of different names but included the photographic likeness of either Mullins or Oakes.

According to court documents, on six different occasions on or about Dec. 23, 2007, Mullins used aliases to cash or attempt to cash six counterfeit checks at a variety of Wal-Mart stores. The counterfeit checks ranged in amounts and totaled $2,572.95. During the same time period, Oakes also used an alias to cash or attempt to cash a counterfeit check at a Wal-Mart store in the amount of $293.71.

In addition, Mullins and Oakes were in the possession of various counterfeit payroll checks when they were apprehended. According to court documents, Mullins was in possession of a total of eight counterfeit payroll checks made out to a variety of aliases.

Oakes was found to be in possession of total of five counterfeit payroll checks made out to several different names. All of the counterfeit checks were allegedly issued from legitimate business entities; however, the investigation revealed that the owners of those businesses had no knowledge of the actions of Mullins and Oakes.

“I am grateful to all the men and women who investigated this case and were able to bring this defendant to justice,” Acting United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said in a press release. “Our focus will continue to be locating Mr. Mullins and holding him responsible for the crimes he has been charged with.”

The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene Day is prosecuting the case.

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