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Pelham Family’s Pandemic PPP Scam Unravels: Tyreek Brown Convicted
ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia man is facing decades behind bars after being found guilty this week of defrauding the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tyreek Brown, 28, of Pelham, Georgia, was convicted of one count of wire fraud on August 12 following a two-day trial. The scheme involved falsified income claims and a phantom business, all aimed at siphoning funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The Department of Justice alleges that Brown, along with his family, exploited the CARES Act, designed to keep businesses afloat and workers employed during the height of the pandemic. The prosecution presented evidence showing Sherronica Jackson, 38, of Pelham, initially secured a $20,207 PPP loan in March 2021 by falsely claiming a 2019 income of $97,000 – money she never earned – and providing no legitimate business information. This initial fraudulent application opened the door for her stepbrother and stepfather to join the scheme.
Alan Brown, 52, of Pelham, then allegedly submitted applications for loans tied to a non-existent contracting business, falsely reporting a 2019 income of $101,005. He had no professional licenses, business affiliations, or verifiable employment. Tyreek Brown, mirroring the tactic, applied for two PPP loans as a sole proprietor using the same Pelham address as his father and sister, listing a fictitious business, Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC. He claimed a 2019 income of $103,400, a figure prosecutors say was entirely fabricated. The total fraudulently obtained funds for the trio reached $61,873.
Evidence presented in court showed a direct transfer of funds after the scam unfolded. Following the approval of his loans, Tyreek Brown allegedly sent $3,000 to Sherronica Jackson from a joint account he shared with Alan Brown, utilizing Cash App and Zelle. This transaction, prosecutors argued, demonstrated a clear intent to distribute the ill-gotten gains. The case was investigated by the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) as part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Taskforce.
Tyreek Brown now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. His sentencing date will be determined by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner, who is presiding over the case. Sherronica Jackson and Alan Brown have already pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud each and are scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, facing similar penalties. U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes stated, “Our office will pursue justice for these types of criminal schemes that deliberately defraud taxpayers.”
There is no parole in the federal system. Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Hansis is prosecuting the case. This conviction sends a clear message: those who attempt to exploit national emergencies for personal gain will be held accountable, even if it means years behind bars.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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