10 People Sentenced in South Carolina for Identity Theft and Multi-State Fraud

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Ten people have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in an identity theft and fraud ring based in Columbia, the Justice Department office announced.

Additionally, the Justice Department said there were victims in at least South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Missouri and New York.

The following defendants were convicted of the following crimes:

• Rhonda Weston aka “Lisa Caldwell” aka “Lisa Baker” 49, from Columbia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud related to PPP loans. Weston faces up to 20 years in federal prison plus an additional mandatory two years consecutive prison sentence, forfeiture of assets and property seized from Weston during the investigation, and mandatory restitution. Weston is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21. This is Weston’s third federal indictment.
• Kashawn HarrisonA 46-year-old Elgin man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Harrison faces a stipulated two years in prison, forfeiture of assets and property, and mandatory restitution. Harrison is awaiting sentencing. This is Harrison’s second federal indictment.
• Michael Terrence ButlerA 54-year-old Columbia man pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. Butler faces up to 20 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14.
• Kasaun Dante SimonsA 27-year-old Blythewood man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Simons faces up to 20 years in prison, forfeiture of assets and property seized from Simons during the investigation, and mandatory restitution. Simons is awaiting sentencing.
• William Charles Brown A 37-year-old Colombian man pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Brown faces a mandatory two-year sentence in federal prison, forfeiture of assets and property, and mandatory restitution. Brown is awaiting sentencing. This is Brown’s second federal indictment.
• Monique Sherry Corbett aka “Monique Sumter” A 52nd Columbian man pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to two years in prison followed by a year of supervision and restitution of more than $37,000.
• Stanzetta Teresa JohnsonA 63-year-old Columbia man pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Johnson faces a mandatory two years in prison, forfeiture of assets and property, and mandatory restitution. Johnson is awaiting sentencing.
• Shakira Khalida ChapmanA 28-year-old Columbia man pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Chapman faces a mandatory two years in prison, forfeiture of assets and property, and mandatory restitution. Chapman is awaiting sentencing.
• Ashley Nicole DrummondLugoff, 39, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Drummond faces a mandatory two years in prison, forfeiture of assets and property, and mandatory restitution. Drummond is awaiting sentencing.
• Darryl Dewayne Dumas The 61st man from Palatka, Florida, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to two years in prison followed by a year of supervision.

According to evidence presented at trial, from at least July 2020 to August 2023, the defendants are accused of stealing the personal information of victims of identity theft from the dark web, including names, home addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth and credit scores of victims at a minimum from nine states.

One defendant’s home was searched using a federal search warrant, and investigators said the search uncovered a ledger alphabetically listing 151 identity theft victims.

According to the Justice Department, agents found fraudulent identification documents and financial records on numerous conspirators.

Investigators said Rhonda Weston led the scheme and recruited others to participate.

The conspirators used the stolen identities to produce fake driver’s licenses, utility bills, pay stubs, Social Security cards, and bank statements, using the names and credit information of their identity theft victims but with the conspirators’ photographs on the driver’s licenses.

They then obtained money and property through fraudulent means, including:

• A car purchase schemewhere the conspirators obtained luxury vehicles including Jaguar, Maserati, Range Rover, SUVs, pickup trucks, SUVs, sedans, golf carts, motorcycles, three-wheelers, and all-terrain vehicles;

• A Car loan schemewhen the conspirators obtained title loans from financial institutions in the names of their identity theft victims, claiming that they were selling cars among themselves;

• A individual title loan schemewhen the conspirators obtained personal loans from financial institutions in the names of their identity theft victims, claiming planned home renovations or appliance purchases; And

• A housing rental scheme where the conspirators fraudulently rented and leased residential properties in the names of their identity theft victims, but for their own personal use, often leaving the property owner unpaid and owing the names of their identity theft victims.

Each conspirator was responsible for approximately $650,000 in fraud in the scheme.

During the course of the investigation, agents seized residences, real estate, boats, vehicles, golf carts, cash and other property obtained by the defendants in the scheme.

Some of the conspirators also obtained fraudulent loans through the PPP program, which provided fully forgivable loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide emergency relief to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Justice Department said.

A United States District Judge accepted the defendants’ guilty pleas and will later sentence the eight awaiting sentencing.

All defendants will be subject to court-ordered supervision by the United States Probation Office after any period of imprisonment.