Fake checks used to steal over $650K worth in postage stamps

CHARLOTTE — A federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment Friday against a man charged with 29 felonies.

Jimmy Lee Williams, 47, is charged in connection with a fraudulent check scheme that allegedly netted more than $650,000 in worth of postage stamps and other merchandise, the Department of Justice said.

According to the allegations, Williams used two different networks of conspirators to defraud U.S. Post Offices and other businesses in the southeast region. According to the indictment, Williams provided counterfeit checks and fake identification to his 16 accomplices, who used them to buy postage stamps, gift cards and other merchandise from U.S. Post Offices, retail stores, and warehouses.

The indictment said Williams and/or his accomplices purchased postage stamps and other goods with a total face value of more than $650,000 using counterfeit or fraudulent checks.

In his first scheme, Williams used counterfeit checks manufactured by Ronald Carr, who was charged last year in a related bank fraud and defrauding case.

In his second scheme, Williams used checks drawn on his own closed accounts, and the bank accounts of accomplices he met in prison and through youth football leagues in the Concord area.

In both schemes, Williams' accomplices gave the stamps they obtained to him. Williams then sold them to an Internet company in California, as well as at a North Carolina pawn shop, typically for 50 to 70 percent of the face value.

Williams has been charged on allegations of the following:
-Two counts of conspiracy
-Five counts of making and counterfeit securities
-Five counts of theft of government property
-Five counts of receiving stolen government property
-Five counts of scheme to obtain bank property
-Three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property
-One count of concealment money laundering

Williams is in federal custody. The Department of Justice said he will be ordered to appear in court on the charges in the coming days.

WSOC