White Collar Defendant Sentenced to 309 Years in Prison

February 17, 2010 - BATON ROUGE—U.S. Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that Chief U.S. District Judge Ralph E. Tyson sentenced Robert Thompson, also known as John Lawson, age 43, of Zachary, La., to a term of 309 years in prison.Thompson, the leader of a massive identity theft and bribery scheme, was sentenced based on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, computer fraud, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.This is the longest sentence of any white collar offender in the history of the Middle District of Louisiana.

The matter involved Thompson engaging in multiple conspiracies with numerous co-conspirators to obtain and use the personal and financial information of more than 61 individuals, churches, financial institutions and businesses, without their knowledge or authorization, to steal from their bank accounts, and use their credit to obtain things of value, including attempting to steal $20,000,000 from one victim’s bank accounts.To facilitate the scheme, among other things, Thompson bribed a corrections officer at Elyan Hunt Correctional Center $10,000 to provide Thompson with cell phones while an inmate at the facility.

The other charged defendants include:

• Ecknozzio C. Jackson, age 39, of Baton Rouge, La., has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and bank fraud in connection with his agreeing to a $10,000 bribe from Thompson.

• Charlene B. Jackson, age 41, of New Iberia, La., has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.

• Sedric L. Jackson, age 36, of Baton Rouge, La., has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice.

• Dacobia L. Hamilton, age 32, of Baton Rouge, La., has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

• Zelbony O. Taylor, age 33, of Baton Rouge, La., has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruct justice.

• Murkel L. Parker, age 34, of Baton Rouge, La., has pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of an access device.

• Barbara Thomas, age 47, of Tallulah, La., has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

• Kelvin Archie, age 41, of Texas, is charged in a bill of information with one count of use of an unauthorized access device.

This ongoing investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the security and investigations staff of the Elyan Hunt Correctional Center.Many other agencies have assisted in the investigation, including the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Hardeman County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office, the Bolivar, Tennessee Police Department, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

U.S. Attorney David R. Dugas stated, “Investigating and prosecuting individuals engaged in identity theft and corruption is a high priority for the U.S. Department of Justice.This matter illustrates how great results come from collaborative efforts by federal, state, and local agencies.I would especially like to highlight the dedication of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office throughout the investigation and prosecution of this matter.”

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey R. Amundson, who serves as a Deputy Criminal Chief, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan A. Stevens.