ROANOKE, VA (WKRN) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia announced today that five more individuals involved in a conspiracy to file fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits have been sentenced to federal prison.
On March 6, the following individuals received federal prison sentences for their roles in the scheme:
Christopher Kirk Webb, 40, of Raven, Virginia – sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Russell Eric Stiltner, 42, of Abingdon, Virginia – sentenced to 24 months in prison.
Jessica Dawn Lester, 35, of North Tazewell, Virginia – sentenced to 19 months in prison.
Cara Camille Bailey, 38, of Davenport, Virginia – sentenced to 19 months in prison.
Justin Warren Meadows, 39, of Oakland, Virginia – sentenced to 18 months in prison.
These sentences are part of a larger investigation into a fraudulent scheme that took place between March 2020 and September 2021. In total, the scheme stole $341,205 in pandemic relief funds. The conspiracy involved the submission of fraudulent claims through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) website using personal information from jail inmates, friends, and acquaintances.
Additionally, six other individuals were previously sentenced for their involvement in the scheme. Notably, Jonathan Webb, who recruited primarily jail inmates to file fraudulent claims, received four years in prison and was ordered to pay $150,218 in restitution. Terrence Brooks Vilacha was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to repay $14,894, while Joseph Hass received more than two years and owes $19,316 in restitution. Brian Addair was sentenced to 24 months in prison with a restitution order of $22,284. Stephanie Amber Barton and Hayleigh McKenzie Wolfe were each sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that these sentences serve as a warning about the serious consequences of fraudulently exploiting pandemic relief programs intended to help struggling individuals. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to pursue those responsible for the fraudulent claims.
