Behind Bars, Still a Thief: Georgia Inmate Sentenced for $3 Million Fraud

ROME, Ga. – Damon Thomas Young, also known as Morgan Sylvia, is facing more time behind bars after a federal court sentenced him for orchestrating a brazen multi-million dollar fraud scheme… from within a Georgia state prison. The 43-year-old inmate swindled heavy equipment dealers out of nearly $3 million worth of machinery while already serving a 20-year sentence for aggravated assault on a police officer and a 10-year sentence for violating Georgia’s RICO Act.

U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine didn’t mince words. “Young schemed to steal millions of dollars’ worth of heavy equipment while serving a sentence for assaulting a police officer,” he stated. “Inmates should not think that the crimes they commit from prison will go unpunished just because they are already incarcerated. As in this case, inmates who commit crimes from behind bars face additional federal prison time to be served after their state sentences end.” Young’s already lengthy state sentence isn’t enough, apparently. He’s proving that some criminals never learn.

The scheme, which began in 2019, hinged on a contraband cell phone and a carefully constructed lie. Using the alias “Morgan Sylvia,” Young posed as a purchasing officer for AbbVie, a legitimate biopharmaceutical company. He contacted heavy equipment dealers, falsely claiming AbbVie was building a new facility near Ranger, Georgia, and placed orders for wheel loaders, skid steer loaders and other construction equipment. The stolen equipment was then listed for sale on Craigslist. A brazen move, even for a seasoned con man.

“Young committed an elaborate fraud scheme continuing his criminal activity even while behind bars, and for that he will be further punished by serving time in the federal prison system without the opportunity for parole,” noted Alex Santiago, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. The GBI echoed the sentiment, with Director Vic Reynolds stating that “people committing crimes, even from behind bars, should not expect to escape accountability.” Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Timothy C. Ward was equally blunt: “The use of contraband cell phones…as a tool to continue carrying out crimes…will not be tolerated.”

Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston praised the collaborative effort of state and federal agencies. “This was a massive and complex investigation that required the best efforts of all the officers, agents and prosecutors assigned to the case,” he said. But the fact remains: a convicted felon managed to pull off a sophisticated fraud while already incarcerated, highlighting serious security lapses within the state prison system. Young’s criminal history is extensive, including prior convictions for theft by taking, impersonating a public officer, arson, forgery, burglary, and theft by deception. His maximum possible release date from state prison is June 16, 2030 – a date that now seems unlikely to mark the end of his time in custody.

Federal authorities have yet to announce the length of the additional sentence Young will receive for the fraud conviction, but one thing is certain: this career criminal will be spending a considerable amount of additional time behind bars, a testament to the fact that crime doesn’t pay…even when committed from a prison cell.