CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- A federal judge has sentenced three Cedar Rapids men to federal prison after they pleaded guilty to counterfeiting U.S. currency, stealing U.S. mail, and identity theft.
Prosecutors said the three stole mail from dozens of mailboxes in the Cedar Rapids area and altered the names on checks, then fraudulently cashed the checks.
The judge sentenced 31-year-old Joshua Chalk to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He also must make $11,463.45 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. Chalk pleaded guilty in July and admitted he made a $100 counterfeit bill in March 2017. He also admitted to presenting an altered stolen check in December 2016 at a check cashing company.
A judge sentenced 50-year-old Darrell Turner to 38 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He also must make $7,271.13 in restitution to victims. Turner pleaded guilty in April 2017, admitting he participated in the stolen check scheme with the other two defendants. He admitted he tried to cash one of altered checks in January 2016 at a local bank.
51-year-old Kevin Kappmeyer must serve 40 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release, plus make $2,680.82 in restitution. Kappmeyer pleaded guilty in June 2017. He admitted he participated in the stolen mail scheme, and cashed a stolen check in January 2017.
U.S. District Court Judge Linda R. Reade increased the sentences of Turner and Kappmeyer because of their “horrible” criminal histories. Turner has numerous convictions for theft and forgery. He also has 12 past violations or revocations of work release, probation, or parole in state court. Kappmeyer has convictions from four states: Iowa, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Florida. Kappmeyer has convictions for assault and drunk driving.