NEW ORLEANS, LA – Emmanuel Cobbs, 34, of New York, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. The sentence consists of 24 months for bank fraud conspiracy and a mandatory consecutive 24 months for aggravated identity theft. Additionally, Cobbs is required to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, in February 2020, Cobbs and a co-conspirator opened fraudulent checking accounts in other people’s names without their consent. The accounts were used to cash counterfeit checks and obtain debit cards for illegal activities, including vehicle rentals to evade tracking.
The case came to light when fake identification cards were discovered at a rental car agency at Louis Armstrong International Airport. Homeland Security Investigations traced fraudulent activities to Cobbs and his co-conspirator.
The investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne is handling the prosecution.