Pensacola, Florida – Shawn Steele, 52, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for making false statements to federally insured institutions. This investigation is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Defrauding federally insured financial institutions by lying on loan applications has landed this fraudster in federal prison, and should be a warning to others looking to make a quick buck by ripping off a credit union.” Between March 7, 2023, and June 30, 2023, the defendant obtained loans from Pen Air Credit Union and Central Credit Union of Florida for a Jeep Wrangler, a Ferrari 488 Pista, and a Cape Horn boat. The defendant submitted false pay stubs and provided false information when applying for the loans with the intent to influence the financial institutions’ loan decisions. Based on these false representations, the defendant was granted loans in the amounts of $98,120.07, $250,000 and $299,243.00. “This sentence holds Shawn Steele accountable for his actions and the financial harm caused by his conduct,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate financial crimes and ensure those who commit fraud are held accountable.”
The sentence was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.