Stuart C. Cole, Mail Fraud, Extortion, Money Laundering, St Pete Be…

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, dropped a bombshell as he announced that Stuart C. Cole, 58, of St Pete Beach, Florida; Mark C. Simpson, 50, and Stephanie M. Simpson, 30, both from Lake Park, Georgia, were hit with a federal indictment on June 12, 2013.

The trio faced charges including Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud (Count One), Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Interstate Communications and by Mail (Count Two), Money Laundering Conspiracy (Count Three), Money Laundering (Count Four through Six), and Obstruction of Justice (Count Seven). These accusations are tied to their alleged involvement with Child Support Services between 2007 and 2009.

The charges are severe, with penalties ranging from imprisonment up to twenty years to fines of $250,000.00 or more, depending on the count. Cole and Simpson also face additional penalties for Money Laundering Conspiracy and Money Laundering Charges, carrying potential sentences of up to ten years each.

Robert D. McCullers, Assistant United States Attorney, is leading the prosecution against the accused. The investigation was a joint effort by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.