Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Kenneth J. Brown and Nicholas R. Shepard, both residents of Lexington, have been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison. They were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud related to business email compromise and romance scams.
The investigation revealed that Brown and Shepard worked with others to receive checks from scam victims through the United States mail at their business, Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange in Irmo. After obtaining the checks, they deposited them into their business account and converted the funds into cryptocurrency.
Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. handed down the sentences of 16 months imprisonment for each defendant, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. In addition to serving time, Brown and Shepard must pay $415,196.66 in restitution to their victims; they are jointly responsible for this amount. The potential fine was waived as part of the sentencing.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, as well as local law enforcement from Lexington County and Richland County Sheriff’s Departments. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Matthews and Winston Holliday.
Alerts Sign-up