CHARLOTTE, NC – U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell yesterday sentenced Cyianna Ashley Woods, 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, to 60 months in prison on wire fraud and money laundering allegations for executing a plan that involved 300+ Walmarts – branches from over. $ 850,000 was defrauded, said Dena J. King, US attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Bell also ordered Woods to serve three years of supervised release and pay $ 923,915 in compensation.
Judge Bell had previously sentenced Woods’ co-defendant, Andre Marquese White, 35, of Norcross, Georgia, to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.
Ronnie Martinez, Special Representative for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in North Carolina and South Carolina, along with US Attorney King, makes today’s announcement.
In today’s announcement, US Attorney King said, “This criminal duo participated in an extensive scheme that defrauded Walmart hundreds of thousands of dollars. This type of financial crime affects not only retailers, but also consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services. “
“This person’s longstanding and widespread scheme has been foiled and now he is being held accountable for his crimes.” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Martinez. “Illegal activity like this harms businesses and increases costs for consumers. This case should serve as a warning to others who think they can get away with plans that HSI and our law enforcement and private sector partners are watching. “
According to court documents filed and the verdict hearing, Woods and White organized and carried out a fraud attempt using counterfeit bank checks and wire transfers against 300 Walmart stores in 24 states, including stores in Iredell, Catawba, Mecklenburg, Anson, Gaston, and Buncombe, from 2013 to 2019 Counties in North Carolina. In order to perpetuate the fraud, the defendants issued counterfeit checks, which appeared to be legitimate bank drafts, which they then cashed in various Walmart stores. In this way, the defendants received prepaid debit cards, gift cards, Walmart shopping cards, and other merchandise worth over $ 850,000 in the course of the plan. Court records also show that the defendants further laundered the illicit revenue from buying prepaid debit cards in other retail stores. Both Woods and White had previously pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering.
US Attorney King thanked HSI for investigating the case.
Michael E. Savage, US Attorney General of the US Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is pursuing the case.
