11 plead guilty in $300M telemarketing fraud scheme

Eleven people have entered guilty pleas in connection to a nationwide $300 million telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable people.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the defendants participated in the scheme in various roles, including as telemarketers, call center managers or magazine company owners. They then used fraudulent sales scripts to defraud victims out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

US attorney: 60 charged in $300M phone scam targeting elderly victims

Those who entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud are:

• Jared Thomas Michelizzi, 37, the owner and operator of fraudulent magazine sales companies in Fridley, Minn. and San Diego, Calif. He’s agreed to pay $22,076,363 in restitution.
• Carlos Kentrell Smith, 41, a telemarketer at a call center in St. Louis Park, Minn. He’s agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution.
• Jannice Kristina Laur, 39, the manager of a telemarketing call center in Pompano Beach, Florida. She’s agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution.
• Vasean Berioisova Ricks, 53, a telemarketer at a call center in Oxford, Mississippi. She’s agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution.
• James Anthony Sierra, 55, the manager of telemarketing call centers in Tempe, Ariz. He’s agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution.
• Daniel Mathias, 62, the owner and operator of an Oxford, Miss.-based fraudulent magazine company. He’s agreed to pay $2,746,547 in restitution.
• Lloyd Joseph Loftis, 60, the manager of a telemarketing call center in Cape Coral, Fla. He’s agreed to pay $50,000 in restitution.
• Irma Beatrice Timmerman, 47, the owner and operator of Arizona-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales. She’s agreed to pay $1,853,293 in restitution.
• Ronald Ollo Coleman, 59, the owner and operator of Georgia-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales. He’s agreed to pay $1,762,912 in restitution.
• John Michael Blalock, 53, the owner and manager of a fraudulent magazine sales company in Cape Coral, Fla. He’s agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution.
• Sharon Denise McEwen, 54, a telemarketer at a call center in Oxford, Miss. She’s agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution.