KANSAS CITY, MO – Wandale J. Fulton, 41, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is facing a long stretch behind bars after being sentenced to 15 years and 10 months in federal prison for a sprawling scheme of arson, insurance fraud, bank fraud, and illegal firearms possession. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, also includes a hefty $380,985 in restitution to the victims of his calculated crimes.
From 2013 through 2019, Fulton masterminded a dangerous conspiracy to torch homes in Kansas City, then collect insurance payouts. Court documents reveal Fulton and his crew purchased properties, insured them, and then deliberately set them ablaze – often in the dead of night, endangering neighbors and first responders. Three homes were completely destroyed, and Fulton’s own residence was heavily vandalized, all as part of the fraudulent insurance claims. The intended loss from the scheme totaled around $740,000, with insurance companies ultimately shelling out $336,756.
But Fulton wasn’t stopping at insurance money. Simultaneously, he ran a separate bank fraud operation targeting Heartland Community Credit Union. Between April and August 2018, the credit union approved roughly $121,500 in fraudulent car loans. The applicants were seemingly unconnected, but all supposedly purchased vehicles from C.E. Sales, a company Fulton controlled. The loans quickly defaulted, and Heartland discovered the checks were being delivered directly to Fulton, who deposited them into his personal account. Four of Fulton’s accomplices have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
The feds came down on Fulton in March 2019, executing a search warrant at his home. Agents uncovered a Taurus .40-caliber handgun and an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 semi-automatic firearm. A third firearm, a Taurus 9mm pistol, was found hidden in a computer bag. Fulton attempted to evade detection by using an accomplice to purchase at least two of the weapons. As a convicted felon – Fulton previously served time for manslaughter related to a fatal shooting – possessing any firearm is a federal crime.
Fulton pleaded guilty in January 2022 to one count of conspiracy to use fire in the commission of wire and mail fraud, one count of arson in the commission of a federal felony, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Venneman and Nick Heberle prosecuted the case, building it with evidence gathered by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case highlights the ATF’s commitment to tackling complex criminal enterprises that threaten public safety and financial stability,” a source close to the investigation stated. “Fulton’s callous disregard for the safety of his community, coupled with his greed, earned him a substantial prison sentence. Hopefully, this serves as a deterrent to others considering similar schemes.”
Related Federal Cases
- Albert Davis, Wire Fraud, Kansas City, MO, 2023 · Kansas
- Russell Hopkins, Securities Fraud Conspiracy, Kansas City MO, 2023 · Kansas
- Freya Pearson, Lottery Winnings Fraud, Kansas City, MO, 2023 · Missouri
- Harry Najim Pleads Guilty to Cigarette Smuggling, Kansas City MO, 2023 · Kansas
- Justin M. Hill, Attempted Murder of Informant, Kansas City MO, 2023 · Kansas
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
