LYNCHBURG, Va. — Tommy Lee Nelson, 65, of Miramar, has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after orchestrating a years-long scheme that defrauded a Lynchburg doctor out of nearly $500,000.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Nelson now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Court records show that in April 2020, the victim sought to purchase a commercial building in Danville and intended to partner with an agricultural cooperative. Prosecutors say Nelson posed as a “hard money” lender, claiming he could help finance the acquisition.
Between July 2020 and 2021, Nelson convinced the doctor to wire multiple payments under the guise of facilitating the property purchase. Instead, authorities say Nelson diverted the nearly $500,000 for personal expenses, including casino spending.
The Department of Justice stated that when the purchase agreement ultimately fell through in 2021, Nelson ceased communication with the victim.
The guilty plea was announced Feb. 24 by Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Ian Kaufmann of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Richmond Division, which led the investigation.
