SEVENTEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH FRAUD AND THEFT OF
GOVERNMENT FUNDS FROM FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The investigations into allegations of fraud and theft continue in the Northern District of Alabama, and have resulted in charges against seventeen people. Today in U.S. District Court indictments charging fraud, theft, aiding and abetting, and aggravated identification theft where filed which seek restitution for thousands of dollars on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The following Defendants are charged with making false and fraudulent claims and theft, along with aiding and abetting in a scheme that involved FEMA funds which began in September, 2005, when the Defendants sought FEMA funds by making false claims and participated in a scheme to individually steal $2000 in FEMA funds:

WENDY LASHON COBB, 23, Bessemer, Alabama.

TORRIE BLAYLOCK, 31, Birmingham, Alabama.

TAMARA DAVIS, 31, Pleasant Grove, Alabama.

RICKEYA GARRETT, 31, Pleasant Grove, Alabama.

CYNTHIA PARKS, 53, Birmingham, Alabama.

BARBARA BATES, 44, Midfield, Alabama.

QUINTESSA WILLIAMS, 33, Adger, Alabama.

Penalties faced for these defendants range from 5 to 20 years in prison with fines of $250,000. Restitution in the amount of $2,000 is sought in each of these indictments.

The following Defendants are charged making false claims or theft of $2000 in FEMA funds:

DEWANNA AMERSON, 24, Bessemer, Alabama.

DENISE BURRESS, 36, Huntsville, Alabama.

BRIDGETT HYSHAW, 30, Bessemer, Alabama.

BOBBIE JACKSON OWENS, 55, Adger, Alabama.

JACQUELINE BROWN, 50, Adger, Alabama.

Penalties faced for these defendants range from 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both. Restitution in the amount of $2,000 is also sought in each of these indictments.

The following Defendants are charged with making false claims, theft of government (FEMA) funds, and aggravated identification theft:

KIANIKA FITZPATRICK, 28, Birmingham, Alabama. Restitution sought in the indictment is approximately $6,000.

CAROLYN HUTCHINS, 21, Birmingham, Alabama. Restitution sought in the indictment is approximately $10,000.

SHAWNA CRAIN, 29, Birmingham, Alabama. Restitution sought in the indictment is approximately $20,000.

Name withheld pending service of warrant. Restitution sought in the indictment is approximately $14,000.

MICOLE BROWN, 27, Bessemer, Alabama. Restitution sought in the indictment is approximately $12, 358.

Penalties faced by these defendants range from 10 to 20 years in prison along with a statutory consecutive minimum prison sentence of 2 years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft charged. Each defendant also faces a fine of $250,000.

"The Department of Justice has signaled that those who fraudulently benefit from disaster relief funds will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "Today's charges are evidence of my office's full support of that prosecution effort. Scam artists who steal federal disaster relief funds to satisfy their greed not only defraud the American taxpayer, they also re-injure the real victims of the hurricanes' tragic devastation by unlawfully taking money intended to help those in need," adds U.S. Attorney Martin.

"The FBI has a zero tolerance policy regarding hurricane relief fraud," stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division. "We will continue to work with our federal partners to investigate and prosecute those who steal from the true victims of disasters."

"U.S. Postal Inspectors have protected the sanctity of the nation's mail system for over 200 years. We remain steadfast in our investigative efforts to bring to justice those responsible for further victimizing Katrina hurricane victims and the U.S. Government. The use of U.S. Mail to defraud the American public will not be tolerated," said Martin D. Phanco, Inspector in Charge, Atlanta Division.

Special Agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Secret Service completed the investigations on these defendants. Assistant United States Attorneys Laura D. Hodge and Vincent Carroll are prosecuting these matters on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

In September, 2005, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, designed to deter, investigate and prosecute disaster-related federal crimes such as charity fraud, identity theft, procurement fraud and insurance fraud. The Task Force is assisted by local, state and federal law enforcement.

Anyone with information about fraudulent activity is encouraged to report it immediately through the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General's Hurricane Relief Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. Anyone suspecting criminal activity involving disaster assistance programs can make an anonymous report by calling toll-free Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Information can also be emailed to the inspector general at DHSoighotline@dhs.gov or send by surface mail with as many details as possible to: Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528, Attention Office of Inspector General, Hotline. Additionally, criminal activity involving disaster assistance programs can also be reported by calling toll-free the FBI Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline at 1-800-225-5324. Additionally you may contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 205-326-2900.