First Lottery Scam Defendants Sentenced

Contact Person: Eric Klumb (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Shadiki Brown, 29, of Little River, SC; Davion Bellamy, age 26, of Conway; and Ann Marie Yapp, age 44, of North Myrtle Beach were sentenced for their roles in a bogus lottery scam that targeted elderly victims around the country, notifying them that they had won a lottery or sweepstakes, but needed to pay fees or taxes in advance in order to receive their winnings.  A total of 18 individuals were indicted in the case; the South Carolina three defendants are the first to be sentenced.  Brown and Bellamy had previously entered guilty pleas in July, 2014, and Yapp in September.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, citing the devastating impact on the more than 150 victims of the scam, imposed prison terms of 78 months for Bellamy, 41 months for Brown, and 27 months for Yapp.  Each was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $839,827.

The case was investigated by Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).  Assistant United States Attorneys A. Bradley Parham and Eric Klumb are prosecuting the case.

#####