The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that a former Georgia Department of Corrections inmate has plead guilty of plotting to commit fraud while still incarcerated.
Thirty-two-year-old Andre Deaveon Reese, a convict serving time in the Georgia Department of Corrections at the time of his crimes, plead guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy in the Western District of Louisiana, according to a press release.
"Unfortunately, there are individuals such as this defendant who have no shame in taking advantage of people who are trusting," U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown said, according to the press release. "We encourage the public that when someone calls and gives you a story such as this to be cautious and contact your local law enforcement office to confirm that the story is true before you agree to pay any money to anyone. Our office will continue to investigate and pursue individuals who carry out these types of fraudulent schemes."
According to court evidence, Reese conspired with other inmates on a scheme to defraud victims. Reese and his co-conspirators pretended to be law enforcement officials and told potential victims that warrants had been issued for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty.
The fraudsters used contraband cellular phones to search for information of possible victims on the internet and carry out their crimes.
A sentencing date for Reese has been scheduled for May 20, 2022. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both.
