Jean Mejia-Garcia, Money Laundering & Identity Theft, Kentucky 2023

North Jersey Man Sentenced for Money Laundering and Identity Theft Scheme Linked to Lexington

Lexington, KY - In a shocking case of financial deception, Jean Mejia-Garcia, a North Bergen, N.J. man, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for his role in a money laundering and identity theft scheme linked to the City of Lexington. The scheme, which involved the impersonation of a nonprofit organization, resulted in the theft of $3,905,837.05 from the City.

According to court documents, Mejia-Garcia worked with his co-conspirators, Nana Kwabena Amuah and Shimea McDonald, to commit money laundering and identity theft. Mejia-Garcia was responsible for procuring fake identity documents, establishing shell companies with numerous Secretaries of State, and opening bank accounts in the names of other, real people to receive funds that Amuah directed towards the accounts. Once the money was received in those accounts, Amuah would notify Mejia-Garcia of the payments and directed him to bring him the stolen funds, after Mejia-Garcia retained his portion.

In August 2022, the co-conspirators impersonated a nonprofit organization working to reduce poverty, which was working with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government on a housing project. The co-conspirators convinced a City official to wire funds owed to the nonprofit organization to a bank account at Truist Bank. That account was in the name of Gretson Company LLC, but co-conspirator Shimea McDonald had opened that account, in the name of another person, using a fake identity card provided by Mejia-Garcia. The City wired a total of $3,905,837.05 to the Gretson Company LLC bank account at Truist Bank.

Mejia-Garcia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to 72 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Under federal law, Mejia-Garcia must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay $4,690,870.81 in restitution.

Mejia-Garcia's co-conspirators, Amuah and McDonald, were previously sentenced to 86 months and 80 months in prison, respectively, followed by three years of supervised release. Both were ordered to pay $4,690,870.81 in restitution.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Mejia-Garcia's sentencing is a significant victory for the City of Lexington and the community. It highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation in preventing financial deception and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/new-jersey-man-sentenced-money-laundering-and-identity-theft-scheme-linked-city