Recidivist Fraudster and Identity Thief Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison

MOBILE, AL - A Birmingham woman was sentenced to 39 months in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, Valnica Strong Garner, 41, stole checks from a 94-year-old woman's mailbox in Baldwin County. On November 17, 2023, Garner forged the stolen checks, which bore the elderly victim's personal and bank account information, and used the forged checks to buy more than $1,000 in merchandise at Walmart stores in Bay Minette and Daphne. On December 8, 2023, Garner again used the victim's forged checks to buy more than $400 in merchandise at a Walmart in Chelsea.

On January 21, 2024, deputies in Alabaster arrested Garner in possession of stolen social security cards belonging to eight different people and stolen checks. At the time Garner committed the offenses in this case, she was on federal supervised release. Garner has five prior federal convictions, all in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama: (1) theft of mail (2003); (2) theft of mail and check forgery (2004); (3) theft of mail (2010); (4) aggravated identity theft (2016); and (5) bank fraud (2020).

In addition to the 39-month prison term, Senior United States District Judge Callie V.S. Granade ordered Garner to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon her release from prison, during which time she will be subject to drug testing and treatment, will receive mental health evaluation and treatment, and will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Granade ordered Garner to pay $1,034.65 in victim restitution and $200 in special assessments.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.