BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal indictment unsealed yesterday charges seven individuals for their participation in a prison-based telephone scam and conspiring to smuggle cell phones, controlled substances, and other contraband to inmates at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility (Donaldson) in Bessemer, Alabama.
The indictment charges Keith Devon Perry, aka "Keep Paper," 30, of Anniston, Kierro Deandrew Nelson, aka "10K," 32, of Montgomery, Shedrick Romon Johnson, aka "Cett," 43, of Montgomery, Deangelo Lamon Russell, aka "Dee," 31, of Anniston, Desmond Arterrio Nelson, aka "Dez," 35, of Montgomery, Aleshia Nelson, aka "Leshia," 30, of Montgomery, with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Perry, Kierro Nelson, Johnson, and Brantley Glen Wheatley, aka "Queen B," 29, of Tuscaloosa, are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Perry, Johnson, and Wheatley are charged with wire fraud. Perry and Wheatley are charged with aggravated identity theft. Perry, Kierro Nelson, Johnson, Wheatley, and Russell are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The defendants include current and former inmates at Donaldson, as well as family members of two inmates. The charges stem from a larger investigation into fraud and corruption at Donaldson that has to date resulted in nine additional individuals being charged.
According to the indictment, between July 2021 and February 2022, the defendants used contraband cell phones, social engineering techniques, and spoofing technology to trick retailers into transferring them funds under fraudulent pretenses. The proceeds of these telephone scams were then used to, among other things, finance the purchase of controlled substances and to pay bribes to corrections officers at Donaldson.
The charges carry a range of penalties: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and use of a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of illegal activity both carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.
Defendant: Keith Devon Perry, aka "Keep Paper." Charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. City/State: Anniston, AL. Date: n/a. Sentence: n/a. Defendant: Kierro Deandrew Nelson, aka "10K." Charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. City/State: Montgomery, AL. Date: n/a. Sentence: n/a. Defendant: Shedrick Romon Johnson, aka "Cett." Charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. City/State: Montgomery, AL. Date: n/a. Sentence: n/a. Defendant: Deangelo Lamon Russell. Charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. City/State: Anniston, AL. Date: n/a. Sentence: n/a. Defendant: Desmond Arterrio Nelson, aka "Dez." Charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. City/State: Montgomery, AL. Date: n/a. Sentence: n/a. Defendant: Aleshia Nelson, aka "Leshia." Charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. City/State: Montgomery, AL. Date: n/a. Sentence: n/a.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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