Former Federal Correctional Institution Employee Indicted for Mail Fraud and Theft of Government Funds

 Columbia, South Carolina ––– Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart stated today that a Federal Grand Jury has returned a seven-count indictment charging Jonathan Kent Owens – a former employee of the Federal Correction Institution, Edgefield (FCI Edgefield) – for mail fraud and theft of government funds.

Owens, 39, of North Augusta, is charged with five counts of mail fraud, one count of theft of government property, and one count of theft of government funds. 

The indictment alleges that, over a five-year period and through his employment as an Information Technology Specialist at FCI Edgefield, Owens falsely reported and disguised the purchases of over $21,000 worth of certain items to appear as legitimate purchases for FCI Edgefield that were not.  Alleged items purchased for personal benefit include a truck suspension lift kit, sunglasses, wading boots, shoes, and clothing. 

The indictment further alleges that Owens misreported his time and attendance records to receive payment of approximately 120 hours of overtime for which he was not entitled.

The maximum penalty Owens could receive per count is twenty years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston Marosek is prosecuting the case.

Acting United States Attorney DeHart stated that all charges in indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.