WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Tyler Jacob, 24, Winter Haven, was indicted with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identify theft, witness tampering, destruction of evidence, and possession of ammunition.
If convicted, Jacob faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 2, up to 20 years, in federal prison.
According to the criminal complaint and indictment, Jacob used check-writing software to create fraudulent or fictitious checks and then submitted those checks at various financial institutions with forged signatures.
The funds obtained from the deposited checks were then quickly withdrawn, defrauding the financial institution or business prior to the financial institution or business being able to identify the deposited checks as fraudulent.
According to the Department of Justice, Jacob utilized dozens of willing participants to accomplish his scheme. Specifically, these co-conspirators provided him with bank account information in their own names, deposited checks themselves, and withdrew those funds on Jacob’s behalf. Between 2021 and 2023, more than 100 victims and over 15 financial institutions throughout the Middle District of Florida were defrauded.
On January 23, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Jacob’s residence.
During the search, Jacob barricaded himself inside the residence and began to use a shredding machine to destroy evidence.
Investigators eventually found shredded papers on both floors of the residence and a jammed shredding machine.
Jacob also threw documents inside his washing machine. Investigators located a checkbook and financial documents in the names of other individuals, printers, a scanner, and approximately 25 rounds of .556 rifle ammunition. As a convicted felon, Jacob was prohibited from possessing ammunition.
Read: One Shot, One Stabbed In Incident On John Rivers Street In Sarasota
After his arrest, Jacob made phone calls to an individual and attempted to have that individual dispose of evidence and lie to law enforcement.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case, and Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes will prosecute it.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.