WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A brazen scheme to defraud the federal government has landed Anton Matthews, 39, of Wheeling, in even deeper trouble. The man is facing wire fraud charges for allegedly claiming COVID-19 relief funds while already serving time in federal prison. But the fraud isn’t his only problem; on the very same day, he was also indicted on multiple counts of drug trafficking.
According to federal prosecutors, Matthews submitted a loan application claiming he operated a food truck business established in January 2019, and that it generated a gross income of $103,000 in 2020. This, they allege, was a complete fabrication. Court documents reveal Matthews was incarcerated from November 2016 until October 2020, followed by home confinement until March 2021 – hardly conditions conducive to running a successful food truck. He managed to pocket nearly $50,000 in CARES Act loans through the deception.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue criminals who stole relief money that was meant to help Americans,” declared United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “Mr. Matthews’ conduct was particularly brazen, but he will be held to account thanks to the excellent work of the FBI.” The statement underscores the federal government’s commitment to recovering stolen funds and prosecuting those who exploited the pandemic for personal gain.
The indictment doesn’t stop at financial fraud. Matthews is also accused of conspiring with others to distribute cocaine around the Third Alarm Bar on Wheeling Island in Ohio County last fall. He’s facing a total of four cocaine distribution charges, painting a picture of a man allegedly engaged in criminal activity both inside and outside of prison walls. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force has been investigating this case for months.
The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a coalition of law enforcement agencies including the Wheeling Police Department, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted the drug investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation handled the COVID fraud probe. The combined effort highlights the multi-agency approach to tackling complex criminal enterprises in the region.
Anton Matthews is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennie Conklin and Shawn Adkins are prosecuting the case. This case serves as a stark reminder that attempts to exploit federal programs, even from behind bars, will be met with swift and decisive action by law enforcement.
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- Jailbird’s $50K COVID Scam: Wheeling Man Faces Fraud & Drug Charges · West Virginia
- Wheeling Man Gets 13 Years for COVID Fraud, Cocaine Trafficking · West Virginia
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Drug Trafficking|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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