Georgia Man Sentenced for Stealing Millions from San Felipe Del Rio ISD

DOJ Press

DEL RIO – A Douglassville, GA man was sentenced today to 52 months in prison for stealing over $2 million from the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District.

According to court documents, Donald Ray Lockard, 67, while doing business as DL Investments from August 2019 to February 2020, stole school district funds and used them for his own personal benefit. According to court records, unknown co-conspirators sent fraudulent emails to the school district’s comptroller claiming to be representatives of the financial institution to which the school district made bi-annual bond payments.  Those fraudulent emails resulted in the diversion of the school district’s bond payments to a different financial account established and controlled by Lockard.  There were three separate fraudulent wire transfers to Lockard’s account on February 12, 2020 that totaled $2,013,762.50. 

On April 12, 2021, Lockard pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  In addition to the prison sentence, Lockard was ordered to pay $277,957.33 in restitution.  

“We are grateful to the FBI for their expedient and diligent investigative efforts, which secured recovery for most of the funds stolen, and we look forward to the restoration of those funds to the community to which they rightfully belong,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.  “This case demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s dedication to protecting our communities, our continued commitment to seek out and bring to justice those who steal from municipal coffers, and our resolve to restore losses to victims whenever possible.”


“Today’s sentence should send a clear message to those who seek to lie, cheat and steal from others for their own financial gain,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson. “This case is especially repugnant due to the fact that a school district was defrauded out of more than $2 million. The defendant showed complete disregard for the school district and the children it served while he bilked them out of needed resources and fraudulently used those funds for his own personal financial gain. The FBI will vigorously pursue those who carry out these deceitful and illegal schemes without regard to their victims.”


The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister prosecuted the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio Franco handled the forfeiture aspects.

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