By Carol Robinson
ATLANTA — Otis “Big O” Bowers, a 44-year-old member of the Gangster Disciples, has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for his involvement in a large-scale conspiracy that defrauded retailers across the U.S. The prison-based scam, which targeted retailers like Home Depot, involved fraudulent phone calls known as “skits,” in which inmates tricked employees into activating prepaid gift cards.
Bowers, who hails from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 235 months (over 19 years) for his role in the scheme. This marks the final sentence in a case that spanned nearly two years. Federal authorities, including U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Patrick Davis, announced the sentencing on Thursday.
Other defendants in the scheme had already been sentenced, including Ricardo “Raoul” Poole Sr., 48, who received 19.5 years for his role in the conspiracy, which also involved wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. His son, Ricardo Poole Jr., 25, received a 15-month sentence in June 2023. Kortney Jovan Simon, 43, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 2023 for managing the operation. Terry Ray “Skitzo” Bradshaw, 39, was sentenced to 5 years for his role as a “skit runner.”
From September 2020 to May 2022, the group, led by Poole Sr., used contraband cell phones and sophisticated social engineering tactics to conduct the fraud. Inmates would call Home Depot employees, pretending to be corporate officials, to activate gift cards. These cards were then used to purchase items or resold for cash, providing funds for the conspirators.
Bradshaw, a convicted inmate involved in the scam, referred to himself as a “professional phone scam artist” and used Facebook to boast about his criminal activities. He received protection and luxury items from the Gangster Disciples in exchange for his role in the fraud.
As part of the criminal enterprise, Poole Sr., Bowers, and other members of the conspiracy also smuggled illegal substances, including methamphetamine and heroin, into the Donaldson Correctional Facility. They used various methods, including bribing correctional staff and throwing contraband over the prison’s perimeter fence (“fence plays”).
In March 2022, Bowers and Poole Sr. were caught attempting to smuggle drugs and other contraband into the facility. Authorities interrupted their efforts, recovering a large quantity of drugs, firearms, and other items, including more than 3 kilograms of marijuana, prescription opioids, and a Ruger pistol.
This case highlights the growing use of technology by criminal organizations within the prison system and the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing prison-based fraud and smuggling operations.
