Kansas Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Involving $30,000 Theft

A Kansas resident has admitted to using counterfeit passport cards to impersonate account holders and take more than $30,000 from banks in northern Maine. Rachael Kennedy, 37, targeted institutions in Penobscot and Aroostook counties, withdrawing a total of $30,400 from home equity lines of credit.

In October 2025, Kennedy attempted to steal funds from a Houlton bank, leading to a police chase that ended with her arrest in Canada by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, as well as charges of bank fraud, passport fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

The penalties for bank fraud can reach up to 30 years in prison, while aggravated identity theft adds a mandatory two years, and passport fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years. Sentencing will follow a presentence report.