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Lavitress Williams, 39, Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Counterfeit Checks
Orlando, FL – In a shocking turn of events, Lavitress Williams, a 39-year-old resident of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and five counts of passing counterfeit checks. According to court documents, Williams faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of passing a counterfeit check.
The scheme, which took place over the course of more than five months, resulted in actual and attempted losses of over $60,000. Williams passed, or attempted to pass, counterfeit checks at more than 30 drugstores in central Florida, including Walgreens and CVS stores.
Williams’ previous conviction dated back to 2013, when she was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison for participating in a scheme involving counterfeit travelers’ checks that were passed at Target stores located throughout the southeastern United States. Following her release from prison, Williams was placed on three years of supervised release, but she failed to adhere to the terms of her release.
Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg is prosecuting the case, with the U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies investigating the scheme. The Eatonville Police Department, the Maitland Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Winter Park Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service all contributed to the investigation.
Williams will also be ordered to pay restitution to her victims, a total amount that has not been disclosed. The court will determine the exact amount at a later date. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of committing white-collar crimes.
Lavitress Williams’ case is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in Florida to combat financial crimes. As the investigation and prosecution of this case continue, the public is reminded that such crimes will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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