Plano Man Gets 27 Months for FHA Mortgage Scam

SHERMAN, TX – Anthony Glen Jones, 43, of Plano, Texas, is headed to federal prison after admitting to a brazen mortgage fraud scheme that bilked lenders out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Jones was sentenced today to 27 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield, following a guilty plea entered on October 23, 2013.

The scheme, dating back to October 2007, targeted Prime Lending, a subsidiary of Plains Capital Bank. Jones, in a stunning display of audacity, sold the same property – located at 1626 Lipscomb Street in Fort Worth – twice within a single week, utilizing the stolen identity of another individual. He didn’t just stop at the first fraudulent sale; he doubled down, concealing the initial transaction when applying for a second FHA-insured loan.

Prime Lending fell for the ruse, approving a $184,300 loan for the second sale. Jones pocketed a cool $152,795.83 from his criminal activity. The total loss to lending institutions as a direct result of Jones’s deception soared to approximately $456,601.68, according to court documents. A federal grand jury indicted Jones on March 13, 2013, setting the stage for today’s sentencing.

Beyond the prison term, Judge Heartfield ordered Jones to pay restitution totaling $348,918.44 to cover the damages caused by his fraud. Furthermore, authorities will seize $152,795.83 in assets linked to the criminal enterprise. This isn’t just about jail time; it’s about making Jones pay for the financial wreckage he created.

U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, announcing the sentence, highlighted the case’s connection to President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. This interagency effort aims to aggressively investigate and prosecute financial crimes, recover stolen funds, and hold perpetrators accountable. The Task Force brings together a wide array of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

The investigation was spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher A. Eason and Andy Williams prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Jones faces consequences for his calculated fraud. This case serves as a stark warning: financial crimes will be pursued, and those who engage in them will be brought to justice. ####