SPRINGFIELD, IL – The glitz and glamour of the rap game hides a dark underbelly, as six Chicago-area men now face federal charges in a nationwide fraud and identity theft scheme that stretched across the United States. The indictment, unsealed yesterday, alleges a sophisticated conspiracy to bilk businesses out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, funding a lavish lifestyle fueled by stolen credit card information.
At the center of the scheme is Antonio Strong, 28, identified as a promoter for rap artists. He’s been hit with the most severe charges: one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and a staggering nine counts of aggravated identity theft. Also indicted are Herbert Wright, 25, known professionally as “G Herbo”; Demario Sorrells, 34; Steven Hayes, 28; Joseph Williams, 28, who goes by “Rockstar Rodie”; and Terrance Bender, 28. Williams faces three counts of aggravated identity theft, while Wright, Hayes, and Bender each face two. Sorrells is charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors allege that from March 2016 until the present, the group systematically used stolen payment card data to procure a dizzying array of luxury goods and services. The indictment details purchases including private jet and yacht charters, exotic car rentals, high-end hotel stays, private chefs, security details, designer puppies, limousine services, airline tickets, and even everyday consumer goods. The operation wasn’t about small-time hustling; this was a calculated effort to live large on someone else’s dime.
The scheme hinged on providing legitimate cardholder information – names, addresses, account numbers, security codes, and expiration dates – to businesses, allowing the fraudulent transactions to initially go through. Once the actual cardholders discovered the unauthorized charges and filed disputes, the payments were reversed, leaving the businesses to absorb the losses. Antonio Strong was arrested in Chicago on September 14, 2020, and is currently detained. Joseph Williams self-surrendered on November 24, 2020, and was released on bond. Demario Sorrells and Steven Hayes were arrested in Chicago on November 19, 2020, and also released on bond. Terrance Bender self-surrendered in Atlanta on December 2, 2020, and was released on bond, and Herbert Wright self-surrendered in the Central District of California today.
All six defendants are scheduled to make their initial court appearances in Springfield on December 7, 2020. If convicted, they face significant prison time. The wire fraud conspiracy and related charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Crucially, the aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence on top of any other penalties imposed. U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Frederick Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office, announced the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office, along with Trial Attorneys Michelle Pascucci and Andrew Tyler of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, are prosecuting the case. It’s a stark reminder that even those in the spotlight aren’t above the law. Remember, an indictment contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related Federal Cases
- Alan Ceccarelli, Wire Fraud and Identity Theft, NY 2016 · Texas
- Jeffrey Ihm, Online Fraud and Identity Theft, FL 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Identity Theft & Bank Fraud Scheme · Georgia
- David Earl Tucker, Stolen Identity Tax Refund Fraud, Florida 2023 · California
- Heidi Jones, Multi-State Identity Theft, TX 2024 · Texas
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
