Bobby Cherry, Russell Leroy Calvin, Michael Marcel Montgomery, Wire Fraud, North Carolina 2020

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A brazen scheme to defraud Lowe's of over $450,000 has landed three South Carolina men behind bars. In a shocking turn of events, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. handed down prison sentences to Bobby Cherry, 58, of Manning, South Carolina, Russell Leroy Calvin, 43, of Sumter, South Carolina, and Michael Marcel Montgomery, 48, also of Sumter, for their roles in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The defendants and their co-conspirators created business accounts for fraudulent landscaping and home improvement companies at Lowe's stores in the southeastern United States. They then used these accounts to purchase expensive landscaping equipment and other items, racking up a staggering total of over $450,000 in fraudulent purchases.

The scheme, which lasted from August 2019 to March 2020, saw the defendants and their co-conspirators open over 30 fraudulent business accounts at Lowe's stores across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The defendants made purchases at local stores in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, Lincoln, Cleveland, and Iredell Counties in North Carolina, as well as stores in South Carolina and Georgia.

U.S. Attorney Dena J. King praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigation into the case. 'We are committed to protecting businesses and consumers from financial crimes,' King said.

Assistant United States Attorney William Bozin prosecuted the case. The defendants were ordered to pay over $450,000 jointly and severally as restitution. In addition to the prison terms imposed, Cherry was sentenced to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release, Calvin to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and Montgomery to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The scheme has left a trail of financial devastation in its wake, with Lowe's suffering significant losses as a result of the defendants' actions.

U.S. Attorney King thanked HSI and the CMPD for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to justice. 'We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from financial crimes and hold those responsible accountable,' King said.

The case highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting against financial crimes. Businesses and consumers must remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/three-south-carolina-men-are-sentenced-prison-defrauding-lowes-more-450000