U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced an indictment against Anthony Sanders, also known as "Slanga," and Marlita Andrews, both 28 years old, from Georgia. They are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a jury duty scam. If found guilty, each could face up to 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a forfeiture notice for $12,825, which is alleged to be proceeds from the offense.
Court documents reveal that Sanders, an inmate in a Georgia prison, collaborated with Andrews outside the prison to defraud a victim of over $12,000. A Sarasota resident reported receiving a call from someone impersonating a deputy from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. The caller claimed there was a warrant for her arrest due to missed jury duty and directed her to make payment at a "Bonding Transition Center," which was actually a Bitcoin ATM machine.
The victim deposited over $12,000 into three accounts as cryptocurrency as instructed. These funds were then transferred into Andrews' bitcoin wallet and dispersed into several other accounts by the next day. Investigations showed that Sanders used phones within the prison to direct Andrews on handling the scam's profits and instructed her to send prepaid phones via drone.
Such scams involve impersonators claiming victims have warrants for missing jury duty and demanding payments to avoid arrest. Scammers often provide personal information about victims and use caller IDs matching local law enforcement numbers. Investigations have revealed inmates in Georgia state prisons participate in these schemes using illegally obtained prepaid phones with outside associates assisting in fund transfers.
An indictment is only a formal charge of violations of federal criminal law; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and FBI divisions in Tampa and Atlanta. Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts will prosecute the case.
