Latoya Williams-Singleton, Wire Fraud, North Carolina 2020

CHARLOTTE, NC – Latoya Williams-Singleton, a former customer service representative, is headed to federal prison after admitting to systematically looting the retirement accounts of vulnerable seniors. The 30-year-old Charlotte resident was sentenced to more than two years – 27 months, to be exact – for wire fraud, a crime that preyed on the financial security of those nearing the end of their lives.

Between December 2016 and June 2018, Williams-Singleton worked at a Charlotte call center, handling accounts for a company referred to in court documents as “Company 1.” This position provided her access to sensitive data, including the retirement fund records of “Client A’s” benefit plan participants – and their personally identifiable information. Instead of assisting customers, she saw an opportunity for personal enrichment, targeting individuals over the age of 70.

The scheme was chillingly simple. When an elderly participant contacted the call center, Williams-Singleton would feign concern, falsely informing them their account held fewer funds than it actually did. Exploiting their confusion and trust, she’d then add herself, her relatives, and associates as beneficiaries. This allowed her to funnel approximately $458,772.88 from eight separate accounts into bank accounts she controlled, leaving the victims facing an uncertain financial future.

U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. didn’t just hand down a prison sentence. He also ordered Williams-Singleton to pay $462,265.40 in restitution, a meager attempt to make whole those whose golden years were tarnished by her greed. While the money may never fully compensate for the emotional distress and financial insecurity caused, it’s a small measure of accountability.

The U.S. Secret Service, led by Special Agent in Charge Reginald A. DeMatteis, spearheaded the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny Sugar, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, secured the conviction. This case underscores the Secret Service’s expanding role beyond its traditional protective duties, actively combating financial crimes that threaten vulnerable populations.

The sentencing is part of a broader initiative by U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray’s office – the Elder Justice Initiative – aimed at bolstering investigations and prosecutions of financial scams targeting seniors. The initiative also focuses on educating older adults about fraud prevention and fostering collaboration with law enforcement partners. For more information on the Elder Justice Initiative, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/elder-justice-initiative. Williams-Singleton will begin her sentence after federal prison officials designate a facility; federal sentences carry no possibility of parole.

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