Jamaican Pleads Guilty in Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
PITTSBURGH - An individual found in Farmington, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of mail fraud and money laundering , United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Sylvester Howard Williams, 32, formerly from Jamaica, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Jeffery Bernard, Junior Powell, Michaelee Jamieson, Sylvester Williams, and Christopher Brown were involved in laundering the proceeds of an advanced fee scheme whereby persons are deceived into believing that they have won the lottery.
Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19, 2012. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sylvester Williams.
