Darlene Henderson Sentenced for Wire Fraud in FHA Loan Scam

CRIME ALERT: Darlene Henderson, a 60-year-old resident of Leesville, South Carolina, has been handed down an eight-month home confinement sentence following her conviction for Wire Fraud. The federal court ruling came after Henderson’s involvement in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme targeting Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans.

Henderson, who also faced five years of probation, was ordered to pay nearly $130,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Her conviction stems from her role in assisting Michael Yant, who has already pled guilty to the same scheme and received a five-month prison sentence.

According to evidence presented during the hearing, Henderson’s fraudulent activities spanned from November 2011 to December 2013. During this time, she used her position at a bank to approve a series of prohibited rent-to-own mortgage loans. These loans were marred by suspicious borrower information that was clearly relayed to her, yet she went ahead with the approvals.

Many of these loans are now either delinquent or in default, causing significant financial loss to HUD and the affected homeowners. The investigation into Henderson’s actions was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Prosecuting the case was Assistant United States Attorney Winston Holliday from the Columbia office. With today’s sentencing, Henderson has been held accountable for her part in this sophisticated fraud operation.

The sentencing of Darlene Henderson serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who engage in fraudulent activities targeting vital financial programs like the FHA loans. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that may indicate mortgage fraud or other white-collar crimes.