Cook County man sentenced to five years for financial crimes

A Cook County man was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of bank fraud and failing to file a state income tax return, which allowed him to steal more than $40,000 from residents and businesses in the suburbs.

Darnell Murry, 41, was sentenced in DuPage County court for one count of a continuing financial crimes enterprise, and one count of failing to file an Illinois income tax return, according to a news release from Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office.

According to Madigan, Murry used stolen identities to commit fraud at Sam's Club, Costco, Macy's, Meijer and other retailers in the suburbs. Murry would add himself as an authorized secondary account holder to receive credit cards linked to the victims' accounts. In 2012, Murry stole more than $40,000 through this scheme, according to the release. Additionally, investigators with the Illinois Department of Revenue found that Murry did not report or pay any state income taxes that year.

"Individuals who defraud our tax system and commit acts of forgery must be held accountable," said Revenue Director Connie Beard in a statement.

Murry's actions took place while he was on parole after serving a federal sentence for similar crimes, officials said.

Murry also served a two years for theft and fraud committed in Wisconsin, and he is facing charges in Indiana related to identity theft, according to the release.