PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A brazen scheme to fleece hard-working Western Pennsylvanians out of their savings landed Richard W. Long, 50, of Ellenwood, Georgia, a two-year federal prison sentence. Long was convicted of conspiring and traveling interstate to commit extortion, a charge brought forth by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.
The scam, revealed in court, unfolded in July 2022. Long and his co-conspirators, operating from inside a Georgia prison, preyed on vulnerable citizens with a carefully crafted lie. They cold-called victims, posing as sheriff’s deputies with fabricated arrest warrants. The story? Victims supposedly skipped court after receiving a subpoena. The hook? A quick cash payment would make the warrants disappear.
The con artists directed victims to bail bond agencies across Pittsburgh. Once there, the victims, fearing arrest, handed over cash “bonds” or “fines” directly to Long in the parking lot. Three victims, believing the false claims, collectively coughed up approximately $39,750 to Long and his partners in crime. The entire operation was a calculated attempt to exploit fear and desperation.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV didn’t mince words during sentencing. He condemned the “reprehensible” conduct of the group, specifically highlighting their targeting of honest, hard-working citizens. The judge’s remarks underscored the predatory nature of the scheme and the damage inflicted on the victims.
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney spearheaded the prosecution. The successful case hinged on a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office – a testament to effective inter-agency cooperation. US Attorney Olshan praised both agencies for their diligent work in bringing Long to justice.
While Long is now behind bars, the Grimy Times reminds readers to remain vigilant against similar scams. Never provide personal information or financial details over the phone to unsolicited callers, and always verify any claims of legal action with official sources. This case serves as a stark warning: if something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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