PROVIDENCE – In a stunning turn of events, Michigan man Mattek Scott, aged 27 from Flint, MI, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for Rhode Island to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The court heard that Scott was part of a multi-state retail crime theft scheme that bilked a Rhode Island-based retailer out of approximately $140,000.
The fraudulent activities, which spanned from June 2022 to April 3, 2024, saw Scott and his co-conspirators, including Ariana Asberry, 26, also of Flint, MI, steal money, pre-paid gift cards, and merchandise from over 35 outlets in at least 11 states. The duo used fraudulent debit or credit cards to purchase items, later directing cashiers to push the ‘Cash tendered’ button without any cash being exchanged.
This deception led to gift cards worth between $199 and $500 being loaded with U.S. Currency. With these proceeds, Scott and Asberry traveled across various retail outlets, using the fraudulently obtained pre-paid cards to purchase goods and services ranging from hotel stays to groceries.
The Rhode Island-based retailer incurred losses of around $140,000 due to this scheme. Today’s guilty plea is a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation, with Scott scheduled for sentencing on November 20, 2025.
Asberry, who pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024, received time served, three years federal supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $138,633.01. The case has been prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Julianne Klein, with the investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations.
Scott’s conviction underscores the gravity of organized retail crime and the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to crack down on such activities.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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