SIOUX FALLS – A Minneapolis man has made his initial appearance in federal court following an indictment being filed against him by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The appearance was announced by United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler this week.
Jason Maurice Fagin, 38, was indicted on May 9. He made his initial appearance in federal court on June 26 in Sioux Falls.
The maximum penalties upon conviction for each count are as follows: conspiracy to commit bank fraud has a penalty of up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or a $1 million fine; aggravated identity theft requires a mandatory two years of imprisonment to be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment for the conspiracy to commit bank fraud offense; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine has a penalty of up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or a $1 million fine.
Each count of conviction requires a term of years of supervised release and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution and forfeiture may also be ordered.
According to the indictment, between September and Nov. 16, 2016, Fagin engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions while using the personal identifying information of other individuals.
Fagin would use the proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase methamphetamine for his use and to distribute to others for money.
The charges are merely accusations, and Fagin is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Flandreau Police Department, and the Flandreau Sioux Tribe’s Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.
