Ticket-Switching Scammers Sentenced to Prison

Charles Blackman, a/k/a Ralph Jones, and Quinton Williams, two Atlanta men, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a brazen ticket-switching scam that cost Home Depot and Lowe’s over $1.5 million.

On August 27, 2018, Blackman and Williams allegedly altered the prices of merchandise at The Home Depot and Lowe’s by changing the Universal Product Code (UPC) to purchase items at a lower price and then return them for the actual, higher retail price.

The defendants used false information and fake identifications to further their fraud, which was uncovered by security measures at The Home Depot.

U.S. Attorney Byung J. ‘BJay’ Pak said, ‘These defendants defrauded Home Depot and Lowe’s of merchandise valued in excess of $300,000 and $1 million, respectively.’

Blackman, 58, was sentenced to three years, one month in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,269,621.00 to The Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Williams, 52, was sentenced to time served in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $269,515.00 to The Home Depot.

The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case, which was also supported by the Woodstock Police Department and Cherokee County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra J. Schansman prosecuted the case.

The scheme was a stark reminder that consumer pays the cost of these elaborate schemes in a higher cost of goods, said U.S. Attorney Pak.

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