Related Federal Cases
- Medical Clerk Sasha Webb Indicted for ID Theft Tax Fraud · Alabama
- Jeffrey Tomasik Book Rental Scam Exposed · California
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Atlanta… · Alabama
- Michael Jett Sentenced to 23 Months for Tax Evasion, MO, 2023 · Alabama
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud, New Roc… · Alabama
Former Clerk’s $467,331 Heist Exposed
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A federal grand jury has unsealed an indictment charging Willie Demps, the former Deputy Clerk of Muscogee County Court, with bank fraud, wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property amounting to an alleged loss of nearly $500,000 to Muscogee County during an 11-month period in 2019.
Demps, 63, of Phenix City, Alabama, is charged with one count conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 35 counts of wire fraud, and 34 counts of interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted, Demps faces a maximum sentence of 30 years on the conspiracy charge, a maximum sentence of 20 years on each of the wire fraud charges, and a maximum sentence of ten years on each of the interstate transportation charges.
Demps supervised money deposits received by the Clerk’s Office, where cash was frequently given to him to be deposited. However, instead of depositing the funds, Demps allegedly made Clerk of Superior Court checks payable to various co-defendants, who then cashed the checks and returned the money to Demps. According to the indictment, Demps and his co-defendants cashed at least $467,331 in checks stolen from the Muscogee County Clerk’s Office between January 2019 and November 2019.
Demps is scheduled to appear in Columbus federal court on Tuesday, August 24, at 11 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Hyles. His co-defendants, including Curtis Porch, Dereen Porch, Terry McBride, Samuel Cole, Rosalee Bassi, Lamarcus Palmer, and George Cook, face similar charges and potential penalties.
The indictment alleges that Demps and his co-defendants engaged in a complex scheme to embezzle funds from the Muscogee County Clerk’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to recover the stolen funds.
The indicted individuals are accused of cashing the checks and returning the money to Demps, who would allegedly give the participating co-defendant a portion of the money. The indictment also alleges that Demps made false statements in connection with the scheme.
The Muscogee County Clerk’s Office has implemented new policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News