CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – In a brazen scheme, Timothy Chad Henson, a 35-year-old Morgantown man, has been charged with theft of federal broadband funding. The owner of Clearfiber, Inc., an internet service provider in Monongalia County, allegedly defrauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) out of $1.96 million.
Henson applied to the USDA’s Community Connect Program, which provides grants to eligible applicants providing broadband services to rural areas. He was awarded $1.96 million to offer high-speed internet services in Monongalia and Marion Counties. However, Henson had other plans.
According to court documents, Henson submitted false invoices to the USDA to receive more than $340,000. He then transferred $322,900 into another bank account for his personal use. This is a clear case of greed, and we will not tolerate such behavior.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner is prosecuting on behalf of the government. Henson is scheduled for an initial appearance on May 29 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi.
Henson faces up to 10 years in federal prison, and a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This is a stark reminder that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable.
An information is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, based on the evidence presented, it’s clear that Henson’s actions were a serious breach of trust and a blatant disregard for the law.
The people of West Virginia deserve better, and we will continue to shine a light on those who seek to exploit them. This case is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
Related Federal Cases
- Morgantown Man Stole $340,000 in Broadband Funding · West Virginia
- Morgantown Business Owner Bilked Feds Out of $340,000 in Broadband Funding Scam · West Virginia
- Morgantown Business Owner Caught in $1.96M Broadband Funding Scam · West Virginia
- Morgantown CPA Accused of Cooking the Books · West Virginia
- Valley Grove Credit Union Boss Nabbed in $156K Heist · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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