**Douglas Thompson, Wire Fraud and Theft of Government Property, Florida 2017
**Scam Artist Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Deceiving Customers and Stealing Government Benefits
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis handed down a 27-month prison sentence to Douglas Thompson, a 52-year-old Jacksonville man, for his role in a brazen scheme to defraud customers and steal government benefits. Thompson was also ordered to pay $149,218.26 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.
Thompson’s scheme began when he created multiple websites for his one-man business, Douglas Thompson Industries (DTI), which he used to deceive customers. The websites falsely claimed that DTI had been in existence for 30 years, had multiple divisions, and had satisfied over 6,000 customers worldwide. In reality, DTI was a small operation run by Thompson, and he had no prior experience in the field.
As part of his scheme, Thompson also made false claims about his own education, stating that he was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, despite being a high school dropout. He used these false claims to convince customers to do business with him, and he accepted payment from at least three customers for the sale of truck chassis, which he never delivered.
In addition to his scheme to defraud customers, Thompson also collected Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid healthcare benefits under false pretenses. SSI is a program designed to provide support for low-income individuals who are unable to work due to a disability.
The investigation into Thompson’s scheme was led by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.
Thompson’s guilty plea was entered on February 24, 2017. He will now serve 27 months in federal prison for his crimes, and he has been ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his scheme.
**Mandatory Facts:**
- Defendant: Douglas Thompson
- Criminal Charges: Wire Fraud and Theft of Government Property
- City and State: Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: February 24, 2017 (guilty plea)
- Sentence: 27 months in federal prison, plus restitution of $149,218.26
**Tags:** [t1, t2, t3]
**Category:** Fraud & Financial Crimes
**Meta Description:** Jacksonville man sentenced to 27 months in prison for wire fraud and theft of government property, ordered to pay $149,218.26 in restitution.
**Focus Keyword:** Douglas Thompson wire fraud theft government property Florida 2017
**SEO Title:** Jacksonville Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Theft of Government Property
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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