NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A brazen scheme to pilfer the identities and assets of inmates locked up in Virginia jails has landed three individuals in federal court. Delanio Vick, 31, of Norfolk, Teresa Gallop, 49, also of Norfolk, and Jessie Davis, 20, of Portsmouth, face a slew of federal charges following a superseding indictment returned yesterday. The trio allegedly targeted vulnerable inmates, exploiting their desperation for legal assistance.
According to court documents, the scheme revolved around a fictitious legal services company – FamUnited, also known as Famm United or FamilyTranzitions. Conspirators, posing as paralegals during recorded jail calls, preyed on inmates by falsely promising bond assistance in exchange for the release of their personal property. This property, including wallets and cell phones, became a goldmine for the alleged fraudsters. Some inmates, desperate for help, complied with the requests. Others had forged property release forms submitted to jail officials, authorizing the illegal transfer of their belongings.
Once in possession of inmate property, the conspirators allegedly went into overdrive. They accessed and opened new bank accounts in the inmates’ names, and in some instances, crafted forged durable powers of attorney, granting themselves authority to act on the inmates’ behalf. This allowed them to add themselves as authorized users to existing bank accounts – a blatant breach of trust and a calculated move to siphon funds. The resulting transactions were fraudulent, including worthless deposits and unauthorized withdrawals, lining the pockets of the accused with stolen money, goods, and services.
The initial indictment came down on November 16, 2016, but the superseding indictment expands the scope of the charges. Each defendant now faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, to be served consecutively with a potential maximum sentence of 30 years. Federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors will ultimately determine the final punishment handed down by the court. This isn’t just about stolen wallets; it’s about a calculated assault on the financial security of those already serving time.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Michael Goldsmith, Chief of Norfolk Police, and Richard W. Myers, Chief of Newport News Police. Kaitlin C. Gratton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is prosecuting the case. Those with information related to this case are urged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 804-418-6104.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further details, including court documents, can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia website, the District Court website, or through PACER (Case No. 4:16-cr-88). Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, exposing the underbelly of white-collar crime in the Commonwealth.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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