A St. Louis resident, Darryon M. Sutherlin, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to a series of fraud schemes involving identity theft, check fraud, and pandemic-related fraud.
Sutherlin, 29, admitted in U.S. District Court to two counts of identity theft. According to court documents, he used the stolen personal information of a New Jersey resident to secure a $25,850 loan for a 2016 BMW 328i in May 2022. He also obtained an $8,500 personal loan and two credit cards using the victim’s name and Social Security number.
In December 2022, Sutherlin deposited two altered U.S. Treasury checks totaling more than $10,000 into his bank account and transferred part of the funds before spending the rest.
Authorities became involved after Sutherlin’s property manager performed a welfare check at his apartment due to unpaid rent and disconnected phone numbers. The property manager discovered large amounts of marijuana and several driver’s licenses bearing different names but with Sutherlin’s photograph. Police executed a search warrant on February 1, 2023, arresting Sutherlin and finding additional unauthorized bank cards, false identification documents—including driver’s licenses and Social Security cards—and stolen mail containing remittance slips for bill payments.
In total, police recovered about 23 unauthorized debit and credit cards as well as around 13 false driver’s licenses connected to over ten victims.
Sutherlin also admitted that in March 2021 he falsely claimed ownership of a construction business in order to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan worth $20,833 by submitting fraudulent tax forms. After receiving the funds, he withdrew most of the money in cash and spent it on personal expenses.
Following his indictment in May 2024, Sutherlin used another stolen identity—this time belonging to a Massachusetts man—to obtain an $8,500 loan from an Illinois credit union branch. He withdrew these funds immediately after securing the loan. He has been detained since this latest offense was uncovered.
Sutherlin is scheduled for sentencing on January 26. Each count of identity theft carries up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $250,000; restitution will be ordered for victims.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is leading the prosecution.
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