A Columbiana man has been charged with bank fraud, according to papers filed last week in U.S. District Court.

In a criminal information filed on Nov. 29, the federal government accused Joshua Wilton Jones, 27, of masterminding a scheme to defraud the Region&8217;s Bank branch in Pelham by putting false information on a loan application.

The feds say while working as a loan officer between August 2003 and February 2005, Jones processed and approved an application for a $180,000 loan for himself, which he submitted in his wife&8217;s name and pledged collateral Jones did not own or was not authorized to pledge. The government now seeks criminal forfeiture from Jones.

&8220;Steal from a bank and you will be prosecuted – period,&8221; states U.S. Attorney Alice H.

Martin.

Jones faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million on each count charged in the information.

&8220;Jones betrayed the trust of his employer and abused his position to steal from a federally insured institution,&8221; states Carmen S.

Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

&8220;The FBI stands ready to investigate and bring to justice those who choose to participate in this type of theft.&8221;

The FBI investigated the case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Athansas.