Arthur Lee Cofield Jr., who masterminded an $11 million theft from billionaire film producer Sidney Kimmel’s account while incarcerated in Georgia’s Special Management Unit, was sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones, also includes over $12.5 million in restitution. This restitution covers the stolen $11 million from Kimmel’s Charles Schwab account, $1.2 million taken from an individual in Alabama, and $391,000 looted from a bank.
Cofield’s criminal activities came to light following a contraband cellphone discovered in the Special Management Unit (SMU) of the Georgia Department of Corrections. This discovery led investigators to uncover his scheme, believed to be the largest theft executed from within a state prison. Cofield used his illicit phone to pose as Kimmel, gaining access to the billionaire’s account by submitting a driver’s license photo and a Los Angeles water bill.
Using the stolen funds, Cofield purchased over 6,000 American Eagle gold coins from a company in Idaho. These coins were transported via private plane to Atlanta, and a portion of the money was used to buy a $4.4 million mansion in Buckhead, Georgia.
Cofield, originally incarcerated in 2008 for a bank robbery, had been transferred to the Georgia Supermax after being implicated in an attempted murder. Despite being confined in solitary confinement, he orchestrated these crimes with the help of accomplices on the outside, all of whom have pleaded guilty.
Beyond his high-profile thefts, Cofield was involved in a criminal network known as “YAP” (Young and Paid), which was linked to social media promotions, parties, and a 2018 shooting. Cofield, whose violent tendencies were well documented, allegedly ordered the shooting of a rival, which left the victim paralyzed.
Cofield’s actions illustrate his vast criminal enterprise, spanning from prison scams to high-profile thefts. Judge Steve Jones remarked that Cofield’s criminal ingenuity, if used positively, could have led to success in legitimate ventures. However, the sentence, which includes the long-term prison term and restitution, reflects the gravity of his criminal activities.