Scam Alert: Florida Man Posing as Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft Charges

Scam Alert: Florida Man Posing as Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft Charges

Con artist caught, ordered to repay victims thousands of dollars

 

LOUISVILLE, KY. (Oct. 24, 2017) – Attorney General Andy Beshear joined local law enforcement at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office today to announce the arrest and guilty plea of a con artist who scammed Kentuckians out of thousands of dollars.

 

Lemere D. Townsend, 28, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty in Jefferson Circuit Court to two counts of theft by deception and was ordered to repay two victims nearly $10,000.

 

“I am thankful to the team of investigators and prosecutors who helped secure a guilty plea in this case and return the money stolen from the victims,” said Beshear. “While it is often very difficult to catch con artists, this case is proof that my office and local law enforcement are working together to find and hold accountable those willing to take advantage of Kentucky families.”

 

The charges follow an investigation into Townsend by the Office of the Attorney General after the office received complaints regarding scams that occurred in February.  

 

Beshear’s office found that in one instance Townsend pretended to be an employee of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and threatened to serve a local resident with a subpoena for credit card fraud. Following the threat, the resident deposited $4,989 into a bank account controlled by the defendant.

 

Beshear’s office has previously warned Kentuckians about reports of a sheriff’s deputy scam. Beshear said the scam is a popular choice among con artists who are willing to use scare tactics and threats in order to profit from their victim.

 

“The successful investigation and prosecution of this case gives us another opportunity to remind all our citizens that the sheriff’s office would never call anyone asking for money and if we have an arrest warrant to serve, it won’t be over the phone or through the mail; we’ll be knocking on the door,” said Jefferson County Sherriff John Aubrey.

 

A second charge was filed after Beshear’s office found that Townsend defrauded another Jefferson County resident. This time, Townsend pretended to be a representative from “Westgate Resorts,” and claimed the victim had a major credit card issue and would face a lawsuit unless they deposited $4,995 into a bank account linked to the defendant.

 

The Office of the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney handled the prosecution of this case.

 

Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Wine said, “We want to assure the public that their concerns will be investigated and we warn those who engage in these scams that they will be prosecuted.”

As part of the plea agreement, Townsend agreed to serve a five-year sentence for each crime, which will run concurrently for a total of five years, to be probated for a period of five years or until restitution is paid in full. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 30 in Jefferson Circuit Court at 9 a.m.

 

Beshear said scams and fraud impact far too many Kentucky families, especially senior citizens, and that is why he has made preventing scams and prosecuting con artists one of the top priorities for his office.

Upon taking office, Beshear and his Office of Senior Protection and Mediation launched Scam Alerts, the state’s first direct text message and email alert system, which notifies Kentuckians when new and trending scams are reporting in Kentucky. Kentuckians interested in receiving Scam Alerts can text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or visit ag.ky.gov/scams to sign up with your mobile phone number or email address.

 

Kentucky residents who want to report a consumer complaint should call the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office at 888-432-9257 or visit the website.

 

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