Federal Inmate Charged With Relatives In Theft Scheme

PHILADELPHIA – Kenneth Hampton, 54, an inmate of a federal prison, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, with masterminding a scheme under which he and his coconspirators defrauded the City of Philadelphia, the State of Pennsylvania, and innocent owners and purchasers of Philadelphia real estate.  The indictment charges one count of conspiracy, eleven counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  Charged with Hampton are his son Terrell Hampton, 34, of Philadelphia, PA, and his brother Ellis, 56, of Darby, PA, and fiancée Roxanne Mason, 33, of Philadelphia, both of whom were arrested this morning.

According to the indictment, during the time he was a federal inmate, Hampton led a scheme to file false and fraudulent deeds for residential properties in Philadelphia. Using the prison telephones Hampton would direct other members of the scheme to locate houses, prepare and file false deeds, reside in the properties, and then eventually sell the properties for a profit.

If convicted, the defendants face mandatory minimum terms of two years in prison with a possible advisory sentencing guideline range of between 24 months and 102 months in prison. 

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Office of the Philadelphia Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul G. Shapiro.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.