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NEW ORLEANS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced that on September 21, 2021, the Honorable Greg G. Guidry sentenced Juan Armstead (“Armstead”), age 34, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, to 76 months imprisonment for violations of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud (Count 1) and the Federal Gun Control Act (Count 2), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344, 1349, and 922(g)(1).

According to court documents, law enforcement identified Armstead as a member of a group of individuals who recruited homeless people and others to cash counterfeit checks at various financial institutions, primarily in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.  The checking account information was derived from checks stolen from United States Postal Service mail, primarily in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.  Armstead and his co-conspirators convinced the homeless people to submit counterfeit and forged checks at the financial institutions.  The homeless people were allowed to keep a portion of the negotiated check proceeds for themselves.

On January 31, 2019, federal law enforcement officers arrested Armstead pursuant to a federal search warrant.  During their search, law enforcement located a Palmetto State Armory rifle Model PA-15.  In April 2015, the federal government convicted Armstead of a felony offense and he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

For Counts 1 and 2, the Court sentenced Armstead to 76 months imprisonment for each count to be served concurrently.  Upon his release from federal prison, Armstead Faces supervised release terms of 3 years to be served concurrently.  Armstead must also pay $200 in mandatory special assessment fees.  While the Court did not impose any fines, Armstead must pay $80,132.32 in restitution.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana praised the work of the United States Secret Service, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for their work in investigating this case.  The case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.