Florence Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon stated today that Edward Lawrence Johnson, II, age 42, of Florence, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence by United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks to 51 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,246,122 in restitution, for violations of wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that Johnson defrauded at least 41 victims from 2007 to 2016 primarily on the internet by selling goods, such as cell phones, or services, such as promoting musicians, which he never provided.  Johnson used at least 11 aliases and 14 business names while defrauding individuals and businesses causing losses of $1,246,122.00. 

The case was investigated by the agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Columbia office handled the case.

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