ALBANY, GA – A man of the cloth proved to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Craig A. Howell, 53, of Sylvester, Georgia, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today for knowingly peddling lies to secure fraudulent loans. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge W. Louis Sands, marks the culmination of a case exposing a brazen scheme involving a local pastor and a massive financial deception.
Howell, the former pastor of Plantation Parkway Assembly of God Church in Leesburg, Georgia, pleaded guilty back on October 7, 2013, to charges stemming from an $800,000 loan scheme orchestrated with Brad Heard, Sr., Brad Heard, Jr., and a rogue banker, Larry Malone. The trio conspired to obtain funds from Southwest Georgia Farm Credit under false pretenses, with Howell acting as the primary “straw” – funneling approximately $700,000.00 directly to the Heards. He had no intention, nor the means, to repay the loans himself.
But Howell wasn’t content with simply being a conduit. He skimmed a cool $100,000.00 for personal use, then doubled down on the deception. To cover his tracks, he fabricated a story of a generous gift from his mother, forging a fraudulent “gift letter” and presenting a photocopied check as proof. The check? Never cashed. And the truth? Howell’s mother held only a few thousand dollars in her account at the time – a paltry sum compared to the alleged $100,000 “gift.”
The court didn’t buy it. As part of the sentence, a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture was issued, demanding Howell forfeit the $100,000.00 or, alternatively, the Worth County property he purchased with the ill-gotten gains. This isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about a betrayal of trust and a calculated effort to defraud a financial institution. The investigation revealed a level of cold calculation rarely seen, even in seasoned white-collar criminals.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and internal auditors at Southwest Georgia Farm Credit painstakingly pieced together the evidence. Assistant United States Attorney James N. Crane skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Howell faced the consequences of his actions. The investigation highlights the vital role of diligent financial oversight and the relentless pursuit of justice by federal agencies.
This case serves as a stark reminder that no one – not even a pastor – is above the law. Questions regarding this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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