Investigation Leads To Indictment Of Former Jamaican On Fraud, Conspiracy Charges
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - An individual found in Farmington, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and money laundering, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The three-count indictment named Christopher Brown, 26, formerly from Jamaica, as a defendant.
According to the indictment, Jeffery Augustus Bernard, Junior Winston Powell, Michaelee Fitz-Andy Jamieson, Sylvester Howard 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.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior 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 leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
