Goodson Man Indicted for Lying to FBI Agents During Fraud Investigation

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Goodson, Missouri, man linked to several alleged fraud schemes has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements to federal investigators.

James Calvin Parker, 57, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, June 11. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Parker on June 4, 2019. Parker remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing this afternoon.

The federal indictment alleges that Parker made a number of false statement to FBI agents who were investigating allegations that he engaged in a scheme to defraud a vulnerable victim in Polk County, Missouri. Parker allegedly repeated many of the same claims to FBI agents that he made to his victim, regarding his claim to $22 million held by the government, and his relationships with presidents and other federal officials.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the FBI was contacted by the victim’s son on April 8, 2019. He reported that Parker had repeatedly asked his father (the victim) for money in order to pay various fines and expenses related to the release of a substantial sum of money that belonged to Parker but was being held by the United States government. Agents interviewed the victim and his two adult sons. Over the course of at least 10 months, the affidavit says, the victim gave Parker more than $130,000.

Agents interviewed multiple people who knew the victim and, on May 10, 2019, contacted and interviewed Parker at his home. In the course of the interview, the affidavit says, Parker made many materially false statements. Agents instructed Parker to not ask anyone for money, to not accept money from anyone regarding scam scenarios, and to specifically cease asking the victim for money.

The following weekend of May 11 and 12, the affidavit says, Parker again asked the victim for $3,000, which the victim gave him. Parker allegedly continued asking the victim for money in relation to the scheme. In order to provide cash to Parker, the victim has liquidated assets, most notably real estate.

The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the FBI.