SPRINGFIELD, MA – A Chicago-area man living large on stolen funds is now facing nearly three years behind bars. Antonio M. Strong, 32, of Orland Park, Ill., was sentenced yesterday to 34 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his central role in a nationwide wire fraud conspiracy that fleeced businesses and individuals out of over $2.3 million. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni also ordered Strong to forfeit $2,159,874 and pay restitution of $2,159,873.
The scheme, which ran from at least March 2016 to September 2020, saw Strong and his crew using stolen credit card information to fund a life of conspicuous consumption. The indictment, handed down in October 2020, named five co-defendants including rap artist Herbert Wright, Joseph Williams, and Demario Sorrells. Strong, posing as a music promoter, allegedly orchestrated the purchases of private jet and yacht charters, luxury car rentals, high-end hotel stays, and even designer puppies – all paid for with someone else’s money.
Investigators detailed how Strong and his associates obtained authentic payment card details – including names, addresses, account numbers, security codes, and expiration dates – allowing them to successfully process fraudulent transactions. These transactions were initially accepted by businesses, but were later reversed as fraudulent, leaving the businesses to absorb the losses. The total loss caused by Strong’s actions amounted to $2,299,842, a figure he has now agreed to repay. Strong attempted to conceal his activities by using fictitious names, fake driver’s licenses, and spoofed email addresses, even falsely claiming affiliation with major record labels like Universal Music, Sony Music, and Epic Music.
This isn’t a solo act, however. Wright received three years of probation and was ordered to pay $139,968 in restitution and forfeiture after pleading guilty in January 2024. Sorrells also received three years probation, and a $106,000 restitution and forfeiture order in August 2024. Williams pleaded guilty and received the same sentence as Sorrells, with a $155,392 restitution and $102,116 forfeiture order. Terrence Bender is expected to enter a guilty plea next month, while Steven Hayes, Jr. is still awaiting trial.
The Secret Service, leading the investigation, zeroed in on Strong’s elaborate scheme. Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office, highlighted the agency’s commitment to combating these types of financial crimes. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division joined in the announcement of the sentencing.
This case underscores the far-reaching impact of wire fraud and the Secret Service’s dedication to tracking down those who profit from stolen identities and fraudulent schemes. While Strong enjoyed a taste of the high life, the bill has finally come due, and he’ll be trading luxury accommodations for a prison cell. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorneys Andrew Tyle handled the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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