Fourteen Texas residents and one Louisiana woman have been charged for allegedly participating in fraudulent schemes to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and unemployment insurance benefits, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced. On Thursday, the department confirmed that the final five defendants were arrested and will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo.
The charged individuals include:
Brittany Garner-Richard, 38, Humble, Texas
Miguel Bell, 39, Port Arthur, Texas
Candace Booker, 33, Beaumont, Texas
Andrea King, 33, Beaumont, Texas
Joshe Johnson, 34, Corrigan, Texas
Ebone Myrriah Mott, 37, of Houston, is believed to have led the conspiracy by creating fictitious companies and submitting fraudulent applications for PPP loans and unemployment benefits. Mott allegedly received $200 upfront and 10% of the payout for each successful application.
Mott faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 17 counts of wire fraud. Other defendants face charges of conspiracy and one or two counts of wire fraud.
Additional individuals were arrested between March 23 and 26, including:
Tiara Petties, 31, Livingston, Texas
Jennifer Petties, 32, Livingston, Texas
Kierra Patrice Chancey, 29, Nacogdoches, Texas
Dekovan Williams, 28, Nacogdoches, Texas
Roy Shemeaker, 38, Dallas, Texas
Trakeesha Nishell Brown, 40, Lufkin, Texas
Veronica Moses, 40, Diboll, Texas
Travecia Hampton-Isabell, 37, Whitehouse, Texas
Frankie Desiree Bogany, 33, Vivian, Louisiana
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
