A federal grand jury today indicted a Pinson man for mailing a fictitious financial instrument to pay off his home mortgage, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley.
A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges that Donald Joe Barber, 63, with intent to defraud, allegedly used the mail on March 10, 2008, to move a fictitious instrument through the United States in a scheme to present it as a valid financial instrument issued under the authority of the United States.
If convicted, Barber could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan K. Buchanan and Michael W. Whisonant, Sr
.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
