JACKSONVILLE, FL – Anthony Tyrone Jones, 36, of Jacksonville, Florida, is headed to federal prison after a judge slammed him with a five year and six month sentence for a sickening scheme of lies, fraud, and evasion. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard delivered the sentence today, also ordering Jones to pay $21,700 in restitution to a victim he swindled.
Jones pleaded guilty way back on February 29, 2016, but the details of his crimes paint a picture of a calculating predator. Court documents reveal Jones spun tales of investment success, falsely claiming he’d made someone a millionaire, to lure victims. In February 2011, he convinced one individual to hand over $21,700 for stock market investment. Instead of investing, Jones cashed the checks and blew the money on personal expenses – a classic move for these types.
But the financial fraud was just one part of his depravity. Jones also brazenly impersonated an FBI agent, exploiting his false authority to coerce a woman into sexual acts. He promised payment for her services, then used his fabricated badge to get her into bed for free. This isn’t just about money; it’s about a complete disregard for another human being and a cynical abuse of power.
The charade began to unravel on January 9, 2013, with Jones’s arrest. Released on bond with the requirement of electronic monitoring, he quickly proved his untrustworthiness. On April 23, 2013, Jones simply cut off his monitoring bracelet and vanished. He remained a fugitive for over two years, evading law enforcement until the U.S. Marshals Service finally tracked him down in Jacksonville on August 13, 2015.
The investigation, a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service, exposed a pattern of deceit and exploitation. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Jones faced justice for his crimes. This case serves as a stark reminder that impersonating law enforcement is a serious federal offense with severe consequences.
Five years and six months isn’t enough to undo the damage Jones inflicted, but it’s a start. Hopefully, the restitution order offers some small measure of relief to his victim. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing of other criminals who prey on vulnerable citizens.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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