The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina unsealed an indictment on Mar. 30 charging five individuals with involvement in a fraud and money laundering scheme that caused losses of at least $3.5 million.
The case involves Xavier Gordon, Warner Gordon, Kevin Milton Simpson, and Kemar Christopher Edwards, all from Charleston, South Carolina, as well as Tashagae Narcia Leslie from Orlando, Florida. The indictment alleges the defendants deceived victims by claiming they had won cash prizes in sweepstakes but required them to pay taxes and fees before receiving their winnings.
According to the indictment, victims sent money through mail or wire transfer under false pretenses. The defendants are accused of laundering these funds and transferring part of the proceeds to individuals in Jamaica. Authorities allege more than 100 people were victimized by this scheme, many of whom were elderly.
Each defendant faces charges including conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering. Maximum penalties for each include up to 30 years' imprisonment, fines up to $500,000, and three years of supervised release.
Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Sowards is prosecuting it.
Officials emphasize that all charges are accusations at this stage; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
