Date: October 18, 2022 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Peoria, IL — A grand jury returned indictments on October 18, 2022, against five Peoria, Illinois residents, charging them with fraud related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA). They are: Kendall Mack was charged with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of false statements. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between April and September 2021 in Peoria County. Adrian Morris was charged with one count of wire fraud and two counts of false statements. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between March and August 2021 in Peoria County. Sammie Wright was charged with one count of wire fraud and two counts of false statements. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between March and April 2021 in Peoria County. Rasheem McCree was charged with one count of wire fraud and two counts of false statements. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between March and August 2021 in Peoria County. Jacolby Carlton was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of false statements. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred between April and May 2021 in Peoria County. Each of the individuals has been issued a summons to appear in federal court in Peoria for arraignment. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty for each count of wire fraud is 20 years’ imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, $250,000 fine, and restitution. The maximum statutory penalty for each count of making a false document is 5 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, $250,000 fine, and restitution. The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Criminal Chief Darilynn J. Knauss is representing the government in the prosecutions. COVID-19 disaster relief and enhanced unemployment benefits are intended to help people and businesses suffering as a result of the pandemic. If members of the public suspect anyone fraudulently obtained or misused benefits, they should contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NDCF) Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submit the NCDF Web Complaint Form. The NCDF is a national coordinating agency within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division dedicated to improving the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal conduct related to natural and man-made disasters and other emergencies, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19). Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
