N.C. WOMAN GUILTY IN MYRTLE BEACH BANK FRAUD

United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated today that Doris Gardner Canty, age 54, of Wilmington, North Carolina, pled guilty February 4, 2009 in federal court in Florence, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

In January 2008, Canty was involved in manufacturing counterfeit commercial checks in the Wilmington, North Carolina, area. Canty traveled to Myrtle Beach and opened accounts at First Federal Bank using the counterfeit checks. After making deposits into her account, Canty would make withdrawals on the account at other First Federal branches throughout Horry County. Canty was arrested in January 2008 while attempting to conduct a transaction at a First Federal branch when she was recognized by the manager who called the police.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Canty can receive is a fine of $1,000,000.00 and imprisonment for 30 years.

The case was investigated by agents of the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Wilmington Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.