Chicago men convicted in check fraud scheme

Two Chicago were convicted by jury in U.S. District Court Thursday for an extensive check fraud scheme involving $30,000 to $70,000.

Kendrick Butler, 23, was found guilty of six counts of bank fraud and not guilty of one count of bank fraud. Darrell Sanders, 38, was found guilty of three counts of bank fraud after pleading guilty the second day of the three day trial.

The trial evidence showed Butler recruited local people to cash the fraudulent checks at banks and credit unions in and around Cedar Rapids. Butler receive a portion of the money from the scam.

Sanders admitted to making checks for the scheme, providing them to local people to cash and receiving a portion of the money after they were cashed.

Butler faces up to 180 years in federal prison for six counts and a $6 million fine. Sanders faces up to 90 years in prison for three counts and $3 million fine.

Four other people also pleaded guilty in the same scheme.