HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – A local man is facing multiple felony charges. He is accused of a scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars from the government. 

In federal court documents, Darryl Godfrey is accused of defrauding Hampton VA Federal Credit Union for more than $41,000. 

It all started with a check that was supposed to go to a business in San Diego in September 2023. Godfrey allegedly deposited a check that had originally been made payable to the business. 

In court documents, it says the California business does not know Godfrey, and he was not authorized to deposit the check. 

Documents explain the treasure check had been altered with the help of someone else to make it appear payable to Godfrey instead of the business. The person who provided Godfrey with the treasury check allegedly charged him $5,000 in exchange for depositing the check in his own account. 

Godfrey had a sole bank-owned bank account with the Hampton VA Federal Credit Union. Approximately one week later, the credit union had $41,927.70 available to Godfrey from the treasury check. 

Godfrey and others drew two cashier’s checks totaling 25,000 from Godfrey’s bank account and cash withdrawals from the ATM. The total left from the initial treasury check was $2,807.64. 

When notified by the credit union that the check was altered or fraudulent, Godfrey allegedly claimed the check he received was “from the pandemic.” 

Godfrey faces a slew of felony charges: 

1 felony count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud

2 felony counts of bank fraud

3 felony counts of Receiving Stolen Government Money or Property

4 felony counts of stealing public money 

10 On Your Side reached out to Godfrey’s lawyer. Due to a pending case, they had no comment. According to documents, Godfrey is on pretrial release. His trial is scheduled for Feb. 18 in Norfolk.