A 34-year-old Portland woman was sentenced today to 2-1/2 years in federal prison, for convictions of bank fraud and identity theft.

Amy Dawn Brown, who pleaded guilty to the charges in July, also was ordered to pay $17,396 in restitution.

Prosecutors said Brown cashed several stolen and forged checks at several banks in the Portland area, between June and October of 2006. Brown stole the driver's licenses of a cousin and a 17-year-old Scarborough High School student, and used the licenses to negotiate checks.

Brown carried out the scheme at Bank of America, Gorham Savings Bank, Tru Choice Federal Credit Union, Portland Regional Federal Credit Union and Bangor Savings Bank, according to U.S. Attorney for Maine, Paula Silsby.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the police departments in Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Saco, Windham, Falmouth and South Portland.

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