ATLANTA - Shamarri Tache Brooks, a multi-convicted felon and rapper, was sentenced to federal prison for a fraud scheme involving thousands of checks stolen from the mail.
“In addition to personally committing bank fraud, Brooks brazenly marketed and sold fraud tutorials and trafficked thousands of stolen checks worth millions of dollars. Thankfully, Brooks’s ineptitude matched his boldness—his efforts to negotiate the checks failed, sparing his victims from any known loss,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Although Brooks sought to teach his followers how to commit fraud, the real lesson here is that crime does not pay. We will catch you, and you will go to prison—even if your scheme is unsuccessful.”
“This defendant built a criminal enterprise around stealing checks, exploiting bank accounts, and teaching others how to commit fraud. His actions put millions of dollars at risk and victimized individuals and financial institutions across our community,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in a Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence reflects the serious consequences of turning fraud into a business, and the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue those who profit from stealing from others.”
“The sentencing in this case brings the defendant to justice for facilitating a scheme that stole thousands of checks worth millions of dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Atlanta Region. “The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold those who commit financial crimes accountable, as we seek to preserve the integrity of the Nation’s financial system and protect depositors.”
“The defendant’s brazen criminal conduct disrupted the lives of countless victims and, by sharing his fraud techniques with others for a fee on social media, he created even more victims,” said Rob Donovan, U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office. “Brooks’s sentence is the reflection of the severity of his crimes and is the result of the cooperation of our local and federal law enforcement partners. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the dedicated men and women of each of the agencies involved to bring this case to the appropriate end – the defendant in prison.”
“Brooks’s sentencing sends a clear signal to fraudsters that bank fraud and mail theft will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “Our special agents, in collaboration with our federal and local law enforcement partners, are committed to thoroughly investigate these federal crimes to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail and maintain the integrity of these essential services.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: From at least January 2022 through November 2025, Brooks committed bank fraud by negotiating checks stolen from the mail. As part of the scheme, Brooks used social media to recruit individuals with existing bank accounts to use as depository accounts for stolen checks. Brooks altered the stolen checks to list the cooperating accountholders as the intended recipients or payees of the checks. Brooks deposited altered checks at ATMs throughout the Atlanta area, often wearing balaclava-style masks with a logo stating “No Free Sauce.”
Brooks also promoted and sold tutorials for committing various forms of financial fraud, including check fraud. He sold a collection of these tutorials under the name “Sauce Book” or “SB.” Brooks also sold images of stolen checks, referred to as “slips,” as a part of his fraud business.
Although Brooks and his associates stole checks with a combined face value of $6,574,288, law enforcement recovered many of these checks from Brooks’s home, and there is no evidence that Brooks succeeded in negotiating the remainder.
On August 27, 2026, Shamarri Tache Brooks, a/k/a Juney Knotzz, 34, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. On May 7, 2026, Brooks pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. His lengthy criminal history includes convictions for drug trafficking, weapon possession, obstruction of law enforcement, and battery.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The Dunwoody Police Department and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
To protect yourself from becoming the victim of mail theft and check fraud, law enforcement recommends the following steps:
- Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Do not leave mail in your mailbox overnight or for long periods of time.
- If you are heading out of town, submit a USPS Hold Mail™ request asking your local Post Office to hold your mail until you return.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery® at USPS.com to receive daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages.
- Contact the sender if you do not receive a check, credit card or other valuable mail you are expecting.
- Consider buying and using security envelopes to conceal the contents of your mail.
- When mailing checks or other important mail use Signature Confirmation™ for the intended recipient.
- Use the letter slots inside your local Post Office to send mail.
- When using checks, educate yourself about the steps you can take to prevent fraudsters from exploiting stolen checks, such as setting up positive pay with your financial institution.
If you think you were targeted by fraudsters, file a report with your bank and request copies of all fraudulent checks. If you believe you are the victim of mail theft-related check fraud, report to your local police, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General at https://hotlineform.uspsoig.gov/en-US/Hotline or the United States Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report or (877) 876-2455.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica C. Morris prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
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