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Five Houston-area residents charged in $1M counterfeit tax refund scheme

Federal prosecutors allege a group used a counterfeit Treasury check to obtain over $1 million; the case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 20, 2026, 2:45 p.m. ETWritten Aug 20, 2026, 3:36 p.m. ET
Five Houston-area residents have been in connection with an alleged scheme to cash a counterfeit U.S. Treasury tax refund check worth $1,052,615.97, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the . The charges were announced on August 20, 2026, and include passing a counterfeit Treasury check, bank fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. The case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved; no trial or plea has occurred. The defendants are Torik M. Blade, 39, of Missouri City; Kendra L. Folkes, 37, of Katy; Rickelle D. Taylor, 38, of Spring; Raven N. Morris, 34, of Houston; and Stephen G. James, 42, of Houston. The government alleges that Blade allowed someone to deposit the counterfeit check into his business account and then worked with co-conspirators to obtain the money by cashing cashier's checks, transferring funds between financial institutions, and making direct cash withdrawals. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, each bank fraud count carries up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine; passing the counterfeit check carries up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine; and conspiracy and money laundering each carry up to 20 years and $500,000 in fines.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 19:36current

    First published.

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