Augustus 'Bobo' Kormah, Cocaine Trafficking, Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

Worcester Man Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking and Wire Fraud

BOSTON – In a devastating blow to the city's underworld, a Worcester man was sentenced to 131 months in prison for his involvement in cocaine trafficking and wire fraud.

Augustus 'Bobo' Kormah, 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 131 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Kormah was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $258,705. In June 2023, Kormah pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and two counts of wire fraud.

The charges stem from a suspected drug transaction on Sept. 11, 2020, when Kormah was arrested following a drug transaction. A subsequent search of his apartment resulted in the seizure of approximately 26 grams of cocaine, an un-serialized Polymer 80 9mm firearm, and a black magazine loaded with 30 9mm cartridges.

Further investigation revealed that Kormah used the personal identifying information of over 50 individuals to submit approximately 125 fraudulent claims for COVID-19 unemployment benefits and 15 fraudulent claims for COVID-19 small business loans. As a result of the fraud scheme, Kormah obtained approximately $100,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits and approximately $170,000 in fraudulent small business loans.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office, Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun of the Criminal Division and Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in the community.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Project Safe Neighborhoods is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that strengthens core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The Worcester Police Department, along with local law enforcement agencies, will continue to work together to combat crime and keep the community safe.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/worcester-man-sentenced-drug-offense-and-wire-fraud