Lavell Deshon Roberts, Wire Fraud, California 2020

LAS VEGAS, NV – Lavell Deshon Roberts is headed to federal prison for nearly three years after a brazen scheme to siphon off nearly a quarter of a million dollars in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon handed down the 33-month sentence today, followed by three years of supervised release. The case underscores the rampant fraud that plagued pandemic relief programs.

The unraveling of Roberts’ scheme began with a routine traffic stop on July 15, 2020. Officers discovered more than just a pistol in the vehicle; they found $50,000 in money orders and a stash of ten debit cards issued by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR). It quickly became clear these weren’t legitimate purchases.

Between June and July 2020, Roberts systematically drained $238,940 in fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits from ATMs across Texas. The operation wasn’t a one-man show. Roberts and co-defendant Corey Marcus Valrey were indicted by a grand jury in October 2022, revealing a conspiracy to exploit the overwhelmed unemployment system.

Roberts ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, admitting his role in the elaborate scheme. Valrey, also facing charges, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2025. The investigation, led by the United States Secret Service, revealed a calculated effort to profit from a system designed to help those in need.

“This sentence sends a clear message: exploiting pandemic relief programs for personal gain will not be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. In addition to the prison sentence, Roberts has been ordered to pay full restitution for the stolen funds, a small consolation to taxpayers footing the bill for the fraud.

Special Agent in Charge Karon Ransom of the United States Secret Service emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes, particularly those that target vital public resources. Assistant United States Attorneys Mina Chang and Kimberly Frayn successfully prosecuted the case, bringing a measure of justice to a scheme that preyed on a time of national crisis. The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within government assistance programs and the need for continued vigilance.

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