Evidence presented to the court showed that Teague, while incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, led a conspiracy to conceal the source of extorted funds. The extortion involved servicemen who were beguiled into sending compromising photos of themselves to women they met on dating sites. The servicemen would be confronted by an extortioner claiming to be the woman’s father and alleging she was underage. The extortioner then demanded money and threatened that if money was not paid a report would be made to law enforcement or military authorities. The service member would send money via MoneyGram or a similar service and Teague’s co-conspirators, at his instruction, would collect that money at MoneyGram locations in South Carolina. This money would be passed on to other members of the conspiracy and Teague through Green Dot and J Pay. The extortion came to light in December 2017 when a service member died from suicide rather than pay the money demanded by fraudsters.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Javarius G. Teague, age 31, of Greenville, was sentenced to 33 months for his role in laundering extorted funds.
This case was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case.
United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Teague and ordered him to pay $2,210 in restitution.
###