On Dec. 18, 2014, Knoxville resident Kevin Scott Thibault, 49, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for forgery and 72 months for mail fraud. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $380,340.12 and given three years of probation upon release. Thibault pled guilty to forging the signatures of U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan and U.S. District Court Officer Kathy Keeton, and to creating fake adoption papers which he presented to the individuals while posing as an attorney. He demanded power of attorney from the individuals, which actually allowed him to make financial transactions from their accounts. Through this scam, he gained at least $400,000 from the individuals.
Mail Fraud – Any case of fraud, when involving the postal service, will be fined or imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. This penalty may be increased to $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both, when involving a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency or affecting a financial institution.
Forgery – Forgery crimes involving more than $250,000 is a Class A felony punishable by 15 – 60 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000.
Source
U.S. Attorney Press Release, Dec. 18, 2014