United States v. Kenneth Ray Watkins

JOHNSON, Circuit Judge:

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Kenneth Ray Watkins (“Watkins”) was arrested after he negotiated four social security checks made out to four different payees, none of whom gave Watkins permission to negotiate their checks. He was charged with two counts of passing forged treasury checks in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 510(a)(2) and one count of possessing treasury checks stolen from the mail in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1708. Pursuant to a plea bargain agreement, Watkins entered a plea of guilty to the violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1708.

After denying Watkins’ request to award a…