American Merchant Technologies, Inc.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (CLOSED)

Most recent update 9/12/08 (See end of document)

United States v. Walter Henderson, Case No. 07-CR-20168-Seitz (S.D. Florida)

Update 3/20/07:

On March 20, 2007, a criminal information was filed that charges Walter Henderson with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with American Merchant Technologies, Inc. (“AMT”).

According to the information, Henderson was a Project Manager and salesman for AMT, a Miami based company that purportedly sold automated teller machines, public access internet terminals, and point of sale terminal business opportunities to consumers across the United States. AMT was in business from April 2004 until December 2004. According to the information, AMT salespersons made materially false statements to potential purchasers, including that AMT was a profitable business opportunity, and that a locating company would secure high-traffic locations for AMT distributors to place their terminals. In addition, according to the information, AMT salespersons provided potential purchasers with the names of individuals who were purportedly successful AMT business opportunity owners, when in fact, such references were not what they were represented to be, but instead were merely shills, that is, individuals paid by AMT to fraudulently induce potential purchasers to buy an AMT business opportunity.

Charges contained in an information are simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence.

Update 4/11/07:

Defendant Walter Henderson pled guilty on April 11, 2007, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. See U.S. Attorney's Office Press Release (4/11/07), “American Merchant Technologies, Inc., Defendant Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in Business Opportunity Scheme.” Defendant Henderson was allowed to remain free on bond and was scheduled to be sentenced on June 21, 2007, at 8:30 am.

Update 7/6/07:

On June 21, Walter Henderson was sentenced to 60 months in jail, three years supervised release, and $1.18 million in restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the solicitation of business opportunities in American Merchant Technologies, Inc. See US Attorney's Office Press Release (6/21/07).

Update 12/14/07:

No change in status.

Update 9/12/08:

No change in status.