Fort Worth, Texas – Two men have been sentenced to federal prison for using Craigslist to scam victims out of thousands of dollars.
James Lee Williams, II, 40, of Dallas, and his brother-in-law Anthony Troy Johnson, 44, of Karnack, Texas, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges stemming from their scheme to sell fake tickets to sporting events. According to court documents, the duo advertised tickets for sale on Craigslist, but instead of purchasing tickets to the designated event, they used the victims’ credit card information to buy airline tickets, tickets to other sporting events, concerts, and attractions such as Six Flags Over Texas amusement park, and then sold the fraudulently obtained tickets to other consumers.
Williams was sentenced on April 26, 2013, to 120 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $77,000 in restitution. Johnson was sentenced on July 5, 2013, to 48 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $66,000 in restitution.
The investigation was conducted by the Arlington Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wolfe prosecuted the case.
Williams was arrested by officers with the Arlington Police Department in August 2012 after a state search warrant was executed in his motel room in Arlington. Among the items seized were documents containing names and numbers consistent with personal identifying information and credit card numbers, written ledgers for various sporting/entertainment events, cell phones and tickets.
The duo’s scheme was uncovered after a search warrant was executed in Williams’ motel room. The paperwork had been stuffed into the toilet, clogging it and causing it to overflow, and a laptop computer had been thrown out of the window.
Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
James Lee Williams, II and Anthony Troy Johnson were sentenced for wire fraud in the Northern District of Texas.
Williams was arrested on August 2012, Johnson was sentenced on July 5, 2013, and Williams on April 26, 2013.
Williams has been in custody since his arrest, while Johnson was ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by July 26, 2013.
The victims lost a total of $143,000.
Williams and Johnson admitted running a scheme in which they advertised tickets for sale to events such as football games or Texas Rangers baseball games. When a customer called to buy tickets, they obtained the credit card information and informed the customer that their tickets would be mailed or could be picked up at the event.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas 2012 · Kansas
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Fraud and Tax Evasion, California 2023 · Texas
- Letitia James, Securities Fraud, New York 2022 · Texas
- Jason Jarin, Medicaid Fraud and Illicit Transition Procedures, Texas 2023 · Texas
- Stuart C. Cole, Mail and Wire Fraud, Georgia 2013 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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