Springfield man pleads guilty to fraud scheme

A Springfield man pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing checks, altering them and passing them at various retailers in the area.

Maurice Suton Anton Sayles, aka Ish Washington, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge James England. Sayles' twin brother, Martinus Antuan Sayles, pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme in August, according to a news release from the office of the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. A third man, Michael Moody, 18, of Springfield, was charged along with the brothers in April.

The release said Martinus Sayles purchased the stolen checks from an unidentified person in the Kansas City area. The brothers then would alter the checks by cutting out digits from the routing and account numbers and replacing them with other digits using glue and a hammer. Either the Sayles or people they recruited would then attempt to pass the forged checks at retailers in the Springfield area. According to an April court filing, businesses where money was stolen or an attempt was made included:

• Walmart, 2021 E. Independence Road, $205 drawn on a Mid-Missouri Bank account;
• Walmart, 3520 W. Sunshine St., $202 drawn on a Mid-Missouri Bank account;
• All Pet Supplies in Springfield, $116 drawn on a Wells Fargo Bank account in Nebraska;
• Pet Warehouse, 2920 E. Sunshine St., $256 drawn on a Wells Fargo Bank account in Nebraska; and
• Rapid Roberts, 3106 W. Battlefield Road, $40 drawn on a U.S. Bank account, and $95 drawn on a Wells Fargo Bank account in Nebraska.

Total harm to businesses is estimated at $5,000 to $10,000, according to the release.

Under federal statutes, the brothers are each subject to up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, fines of up to $250,000 apiece and orders of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following completion of the presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Eggert and was investigated by the Springfield Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.