A 23-year-old Ukiah man pled guilty to felony identity theft, money laundering, and grand theft that bilked a Pleasant Hill victim of nearly 20-thousand dollars.
Andrew William McCormick was charged on February 20th, 2024, with felony violations of conspiracy to defraud, identity theft, false impersonation, money laundering, and grand theft in a scheme he executed in Florida targeting an account holder at a Chase Bank branch in Pleasant Hill.
McCormick began his financial crime by opening a legitimate account in his name on July 22, 2022, at a Chase Bank branch in Ukiah. He then scheduled an in-person appointment at a Chase Bank branch in Plantation, Florida for August 26, 2022.
He flew to Florida on August 25th and met with a co-conspirator who impersonated the Pleasant Hill victim and used the victim’s stolen identifying information. While in Florida, the two went to the pre-scheduled bank meeting where they opened a joint account and linked it to the victim’s checking account.
Later, McCormick made phone transfers totaling $19,956.44 from the victim’s account to the new one and then made an electronic transfer of $12,300 to his account in Ukiah. McCormick continued to make electronic transfers and cash withdrawals from five other bank branches until he drained the victim’s account. He left Florida later that day.
Pleasant Hill Police Officer Andrew Mundy investigated for several months piecing together information obtained through multiple search warrants to build a solid case against McCormick. Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton noted, “When it comes to financial crimes, the challenges can be steep. But
Officer Mundy’s impressive investigation and DDA Dana Filkowski’s thorough preparation for
prosecution led to a just outcome for the victim of this crime.”
McCormick pled guilty to the following charges shortly before the preliminary hearing began on October 3rd, 2024: Identity theft [PC 530.5(a)], money laundering [PC 186.10(a)], and grand theft of personal property [PC 487(a)]. McCormick faces 240 days in county jail and will repay the victim the amount he stole. Moreover, he will be on probation for two years.
glad they caught him, but a slap on the wrist penalty. Given the situation in California (prisons closed resulting in jail overcrowding) he may not serve 2 weeks in jail. What about the cost of the investigation? Who pays for that? What about the time the victim spent trying to get his money back?
doesn’t he deserve more compensation?
As usual, great work by the local PD but weak prosecution by the DA offers little deterrence.
“grand theft of personal property” PC487 a, apparently prosecuted as a misdemeanor even though amount was $19,000. Too bad we’ll likely never learn of what possible plea barging involved. Anything to prevent the cost of a trial.
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Wonder at sentencing how much time he gets, then how much time is actually served before walking out those revolving doors?
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If there is no threat of substantial incarceration,
there is no deterrence of criminal behavior
Sentencing way too low. He will be out and doing the same crime over and over.
The money is gone, sentence is ridiculous and Ukiah smells like feet.
Broken down, the only way this crime works is if the bank in question doesn’t perform due, and lawfully required diligence.
Vote YES ON 36 !!!!! It will UNDO some of the harm caused by Kamala Harris’s Prop 47. And next time you have a chance to vote for Co Co Co D. A., vote OUT Diane Becton. She’s a Soros funded (to the tune of $1 Million in the last election) candidate, like Gascon in L. A., who doesn’t think criminals should be in jail.
Comala Hairus, the assistant liar in chief, sold prop 47 to the dumb dumb masses as ‘The safe neighborhoods and schools act’.