GA Inmates Found Guilty in Nationwide Jury Duty Call Scheme
ALBANY, Ga. – In a stunning verdict, Joey Amour Jackson, aka “Apes—,” and Lance Riddle, aka “C-Port,” both of Calhoun State Prison, were found guilty of their crimes in federal court last night. The two Georgia inmates were involved in a nationwide call scheme extorting unsuspecting citizens to pay off fines to avoid arrest and prosecution.
According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The verdict comes after a five-day trial that began on January 5, before Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands in Albany. The defendants face a maximum 30 years in prison for wire fraud and a maximum of 20 years in prison for money laundering, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine per count.
The scheme, which originated at Calhoun State Prison, involved inmates and co-conspirators outside prison walls coercing money from citizens by threatening them with arrest and other penalties for missing jury duty. The defendants even went so far as to coerce personal photos from some female victims, resulting in threats of rape and other violence against them by inmates.
“This scheme went even further by coercing personal photos from some female victims, resulting in threats of rape and other violence against them by inmates,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Law enforcement is dedicated to identifying and apprehending those who exploit the goodwill of our citizens, ensuring they face the maximum consequences permitted by law.”
The FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge, Paul Brown, echoed Keyes’ sentiments. “Not even prison cells prevented these criminals from harming dozens of innocent people. Hopefully, this verdict will bring some level of comfort to the victims and prevent others from falling for similar scams,” he said. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in not only addressing these types of inmate-based crimes but also in preventing inmates access to contraband cell phones that provide the means to do so much harm to the unsuspecting public.”
The scheme primarily targeted female professionals with prominent online profiles, though a small number of male victims were also identified. The inmates impersonated both fictitious individuals and real police officers, informing the victims that they had one or more warrants for their arrest due to missing jury duty. The victims were instructed to purchase gift cards and read the numbers off the back of the cards to the defendants, or wire transfers were sometimes made.
The victims were also informed they were under a “gag” order and couldn’t speak about their warrants until the bond was paid, or they would be immediately arrested. Many female victims were told that, because of supposed heightened courthouse security, they needed to go to a local Target store, enter a restroom, undress and record themselves performing a self-conducted cavity search before verifying their signature. Some victims subsequently received lewd and sexually explicit messages, including photos of male genitalia and violent threats.
Related Federal Cases
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Fraud, Albany NY, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Angela Miller and Lee Lynwood, Tax Return Fraud, Georgia, 2008 · Alabama
- William Frazier Sentenced to 51 Months for Wire Fraud, Midland GA, … · Washington
- Princess L. Eatmon, Student Loan Wire Fraud, Albany GA, 2023 · Illinois
- Four Individuals Face Federal Oxycodone Fraud Charges, Georgia, 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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