A Canton woman is facing federal charges for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from a Tennessee man in a cold-blooded sweepstakes scam that preyed on hope and trust. Lashell Patton, 42, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, accused of convincing the victim he’d won $3 million—so long as he paid up front taxes and fees.
According to the indictment, Patton and an unknown number of accomplices told the Tennessee man he had struck it rich in a sweepstakes he never entered. The lie was slick, the timing deliberate: they pressured the victim into acting fast, warning that the prize would vanish if fees weren’t paid immediately. The catch? Every dollar he wired was pure profit for Patton.
Between July 2015 and April 2016, the victim sent 15 Western Union transfers totaling $11,615 and 111 MoneyGram wires amounting to $90,090—all directed to Patton in Canton. That’s 126 separate transactions, each one a fresh gut punch in a scheme built on deception and greed.
U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon didn’t mince words: “This defendant preyed upon a vulnerable victim and took advantage of his trust. She now will be held accountable for her actions.” The statement underscores the federal focus on fraud that targets the elderly and financially naive.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis, was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service—a reminder that even fake windfalls leave a paper trail. Investigators followed the money, and it led straight to Patton’s doorstep.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Lashell Patton is entitled to a fair trial, and the government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the court will weigh her role, criminal history, and the specifics of the crime before sentencing. The statutory maximum remains in place, but justice, like the wires sent, can’t be reversed once it’s in motion.
Related Federal Cases
- Gary R. Tomey II Gets 90 Months for Charity Scam · Mississippi
- Western Union Scam · Washington
- New Jersey Man Charged in Bait-and-Switch Coin Scam · Pennsylvania
- FDIC Appoints Five New Members to Advisory Committee on Community Banking · Mississippi
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News