Alleged mastermind of Jamaican lottery scam pleads guilty
This undated file photo provided by the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department in Bismarck, North Dakota shows Lavrick Willocks, of Jamaica. Willocks, who is accused of masterminding a lottery scam that victimized dozens of Americans out of millions of dollars, reached a deal with federal prosecutors in North Dakota and appeared in court Thursday, July 27, 2017, to plead guilty to conspiracy. Prosecutors dropped 65 counts of fraud and money laundering.
BISMARCK, North Dakota (AP) — A Jamaican man accused of masterminding a lottery scam that defrauded dozens of mostly elderly Americans out of millions of dollars has pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
Twenty-eight-year-old Lavrick Willocks reached a deal with federal prosecutors in North Dakota and appeared in court Thursday to enter his plea. Prosecutors dropped 65 counts of fraud and money laundering.
Willocks faces up to 40 years in prison, though he’s more likely to get about 10 years because he cooperated with authorities. The government also will recommend that he pay restitution. Sentencing wasn’t immediately scheduled.
Fourteen other people are charged in the case. One of them reached a plea deal with prosecutors Wednesday. Assistant US Attorney Clare Hochhalter says he’s hopeful there will be more plea deals reached.
He will serve 10-years and return to Jamaica to enjoy his millions, while living in his US million dollar house on the hills. He will not pay a dime in restitution. US prisons is like a 10-year vacation for these guys.
Cooperate with authorities and you stand a chance fi get less time in prison. There’s no walking away scotch free from something like this. Suh di rest a dem better follow the mastermind.