For Additional Info, Contact:
Assistant U. S. Lawyer Oleksandra “Sasha” Johnson (619) 546-9769
SAN DIEGO – An Arizona lady was sentenced in federal court docket immediately to 12 months and 1 day in jail for taking part in a large-scale “grandparent rip-off” racketeering conspiracy.
In keeping with court docket paperwork, Lyda Harris, 75, of Laveen, Arizona, participated in a legal enterprise that engaged in extortion and fraud to swindle greater than $2 million from 70-plus aged victims throughout the nation. No less than 10 aged victims who resided in San Diego County misplaced over $300,000 to the fraud.
From roughly November 1, 2019, till October 14, 2020, the members of the legal enterprise contacted aged victims by telephone, feeding them phony tales that their grandchildren have been in authorized hassle and wanted cash to pay for bail, pay medical bills for automobile accident victims, or forestall further costs from being filed. Members of the conspiracy and their associates obtained cash from victims by in-person money pick-ups, by mail or industrial carriers, or by way of wire transfers. Conspirators laundered the proceeds by transferring the funds or changing from fiat foreign money to cryptocurrency.
In keeping with court docket paperwork, Harris participated within the conspiracy from December 2019 till October 2020. Harris was arrested within the Republic of Albania in August 2021 and extradited to america. In keeping with Harris’s plea settlement, her function within the legal enterprise was to obtain sufferer proceeds and funnel them for a coconspirator to transform from fiat foreign money to cryptocurrency. As a part of her sentence, Harris was ordered to forfeit $6,243 in proceeds she personally obtained from the offense, and to pay $1,208,291.93 to the victims in restitution.
“The defendant was a vital member of a complicated legal group that shamelessly exploited the grandparents’ love for his or her grandchildren,” mentioned U.S. Lawyer Randy Grossman. “The U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace stays dedicated to investigating and prosecuting fraud dedicated towards aged adults, and to warn the general public concerning the risks of elder fraud.” Grossman thanked the prosecution workforce, the Division of Justice’s Client Safety Department and the San Diego Elder Justice Activity Drive for his or her glorious work on this case.
Lyda Harris and the legal enterprise she was part of selected to line their pockets on the expense of certainly one of our most weak and trusting populations,” mentioned Particular Agent in Cost Stacey Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Subject Workplace. “At this time’s sentencing demonstrates the effectiveness of San Diego’s Elder Justice Activity Drive and the long run crime we are able to deter when working with our native, state, and federal regulation enforcement companions. We remind the general public that if you happen to imagine you’ve been the sufferer of a rip-off, please report it to the FBI at IC3.gov
As of immediately, six of the eight defendants charged within the case have been sentenced. Two defendants are fugitives.
This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Activity Drive, which is a collaboration between the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace, the FBI, the District Lawyer’s Workplace and all San Diego County regulation enforcement businesses. The Elder Justice Activity Drive was established in February 2021 and is believed to be the primary complete regulation enforcement effort for this objective anyplace within the nation. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace and the Division of Justice’s Client Safety Department.
| DEFENDANTS | Case Quantity 22cr2216-CAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracy Adrine Knowles Fugitive |
Age: 30 | Orlando, Florida |
| Adonis Alexis Butler Wong Fugitive |
Age: 30 | Northbay Village, Florida |
| Timothy Ingram, aka Bleezy Sentenced on August 31, 2022 to 108 months in jail. |
Age: 30 | North Hollywood, California |
| Anajah Gifford Sentenced on November 17, 2022 to 57 months in jail. |
Age: 24 | North Hollywood, California |
| Lyda Harris Sentenced immediately to 12 months and 1 day in jail. |
Age: 74 | Laveen, Arizona |
| Joaquin Lopez Sentenced on August 31, 2022, to 24 months in jail. |
Age: 46 | Hollywood, Florida |
| Jack Owuor Sentenced on August 17, 2022, to 46 months in jail. |
Age: 25 | Paramount, California |
| Tracy Glinton Sentenced on November 17, 2022, to time served – 9 days. |
Age: 35 | Orlando, Florida |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1962(d) – Conspiracy to Conduct or Take part in an Enterprise
By means of a Sample of Racketeering Exercise
Most penalty: Twenty years in jail and a high quality of no more than the higher of twice the quantity of achieve or loss related to the offense or $250,000
AGENCY
Division of Justice’s Client Safety Department
San Diego Elder Justice Activity Drive, which incorporates:
San Diego FBI
San Diego County District Lawyer’s Workplace
San Diego Police Division
San Diego Sheriff’s Division
Carlsbad Police Division
Oceanside Police Division
Escondido Police Division
Chula Vista Police Division
El Cajon Police Division
La Mesa Police Division
Nationwide Metropolis Police Division
Coronado Police Division
