Three Columbia residents indicted for bank fraud, mail theft by federal grand jury

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A federal grand jury has indicted three Columbia residents for their part in a bank fraud conspiracy.

Chandelle Eugene Marteen, 39, Jason Lee Patillo, 49, and Candance Anne Cook, 41, were charged in a 22-count indictment by a federal grand jury on Oct. 24.

The Western District of Missouri U.S. Attorney's Office said in a release, all three are accused of using identity documents stolen from the mail to open fraudulent bank accounts from July 2021 to March.

Federal court documents state that Martenn and Cook allegedly stole mail from collection boxes and homes in Columbia, this included personal and business checks that they forged signatures and altered.

Martenn is also accused of opening bank accounts using stolen identity documents, driver's license and identification cards, to cash and deposit stolen checks into the accounts.

Patillo is also accused of opening a bank account for Marteen; allowing him to deposit checks and withdraw money from the account.

All three are indicted on one count of bank fraud conspiracy. Cook is also charged with one count of possessing stolen mail.

Marteen is also charged with nine counts of bank fraud, two counts of mail theft, two counts of possessing stolen mail and seven counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to online records, Marteen and Patillo are in custody while Cook was released on bond.