A former Cranston resident has been indicted and arraigned in federal court on a wire fraud charge, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. The indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court, revealing allegations against Jason Johnson, 51, the former owner of W.S. Solutions LLC.
In December 2017, a couple from Rhode Island invested $140,000 with Johnson. It is alleged that within a week of receiving the funds, Johnson diverted them into two bank accounts he controlled without informing the investors. Over the following year, it is claimed that Johnson spent most of these funds on personal expenses.
The indictment further alleges that Johnson did not respond to repeated inquiries from the investors and failed to provide any statements or reports regarding their investment activity. Instead, he sent electronic communications assuring them that their accounts were being managed and promised future profit distributions.
W.S. Solutions LLC had its Certificate of Organization/Registration revoked by the Rhode Island Secretary of State on July 22, 2019, due to failure to file an annual report.
Johnson appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released on an unsecured bond. It is important to note that a federal indictment is merely an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted jointly by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the FBI.
