Accused bank fraudster indicted in Washington | News

KENNEWICK — The woman accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from central banks in Washington, including one in Leavenworth, is now facing charges in Benton County.

Andrea Estell Cochran of Texas allegedly made fake passports in the names of various bank account holders and used them to withdraw money from bank branches in Chelan, Kittitas, Benton and Snohomish counties, as well as West Seattle and Everett, last May. At the Leavenworth branch of Cashmere Valley Bank alone, Cochran allegedly stole nearly $11,000.

She was arrested four months ago in Maine, where she is accused of trying the same tactic, and is now being held on federal passport fraud charges.

Benton County prosecutors are the first to file local charges in Washington. In September, they issued a warrant for Cochran's arrest on a single count of first-degree identity theft.