Two more members of a network that operated and facilitated a large-scale “grandparent scam” have pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy. Lyda Harris, 74, of Laveen, Arizona, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday after being extradited to the United States from Albania on November 12, 2021. Tracy Glinton, 35, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty on June 9.
Of the eight defendants indicted in this case, six were arrested; all six have now pleaded guilty. The remaining two defendants remain at-large. According to court documents, the defendants were members and associates of a network of individuals who, through extortion and fraud, induced elderly Americans across the United States to pay thousands to tens of thousands of dollars each to purportedly help their grandchild or other close family relative.
Members of the network contacted elderly Americans by telephone and impersonated a grandchild, other close relative or friend of the victim. They falsely convinced the victims that their relatives were in legal trouble and needed money to pay for bail, for medical expenses for car accident victims or to prevent additional charges from being filed. The defendants and their co-conspirators then received money from victims via various means, including in-person pickup, mail and wire transfer, and laundered the proceeds, including through cryptocurrency.
“The Consumer Protection Branch will continue to investigate and prosecute criminals who target elderly Americans and take advantage of their concern for loved ones,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. “We are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and the FBI in advancing the department’s efforts against organized elder fraud, and to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.”
Lyda Harris and Tracy Glinton pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30, 2022; Glinton is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s San Diego Field Office, North County Resident Agency, with critical assistance from investigators of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Trial Attorneys Lauren M. Elfner and Wei Xiang with the Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Oleksandra Johnson of the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
The Consumer Protection Branch seeks to halt the widespread losses seniors suffer from fraud schemes like this grandparent scam. It is imperative that we continue to work together to protect our elderly population from these types of crimes.
Harris and Glinton should face the maximum penalty for their crimes considering they preyed on the love and trust of their victims to enrich themselves.
Related Federal Cases
- Timothy Ingram, Racketeering Conspiracy, California 2023 · New York
- Brian Terry, Murder for Reward, Arizona 2010 · California
- ROBERT FRENCHIE MCGRIFF, Kidnapping for Prostitution, Arizona 2019 · California
- Marian Marsha Josytewa, Involuntary Manslaughter, Arizona 2023 · California
- Sandra Meza-Casillas, Assault on a Federal Officer, Arizona 2025 · California
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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