Alleged to have stolen over $837,000 from Carmi, Illinois, energy company
U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA - United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced yesterday (February 2) that a former Evansville resident who worked as the business manager of a Carmi, Illinois, oil and gas company was indicted on one count of making forged securities and four counts of money laundering.
Kent W. Cutchin, 60, formerly of Evansville, was indicted by a federal grand jury last week and had his initial appearance before a federal magistrate on Monday.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is cracking down on white collar crime,” said Minkler. “Even if you use sophisticated means to steal $837,000, you are still a thief and thieves need to go to federal prison.”
Cutchin was the office manager for R Energy, a company headquartered in Carmi, Illinois, which performs oil and gas field services in multiple states, including Indiana. Cutchin was responsible for paying bills, maintaining office payroll, ordering supplies, and purchasing inventory.
Between December 2011 and February 2015, Cutchin is alleged to have forged the signature of R Energy’s company president on over 500 checks. He is alleged to have written the checks to himself and purchased items for his personal use rather than buying items in the ordinary course of business. The indictment alleges that he used these fraudulently obtained funds to make improvements on his home in Evansville and to purchase an all-terrain utility vehicle. In total, the amount of theft is alleged to total approximately $837,251.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
IRS Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent in Charge, James Robnett, stated, “Together with the United States Attorney’s Office, we are committed to following the money. Money laundering constitutes a serious threat to the integrity of our financial system and honest hardworking Americans are paying the price.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Jay Abbott said, “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, specifically the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to focus our efforts on these white collar subjects and ensure they are brought to justice.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Kyle M. Sawa, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Cutchin could face up to 10 years imprisonment on each count if convicted.
An indictment is merely a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in federal court.
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