Two Georgia inmates, Lance Riddle, also known as “C-Port,” and Joey Amour Jackson, have been sentenced to federal prison in Albany for orchestrating a complex phone scheme from behind bars. The scam extorted at least 119 citizens across the U.S. by demanding payments for supposed missed jury-duty fines. The sentences were handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands on October 14, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. This case, investigated by the FBI, highlights the ongoing challenge of inmate-based crimes and the misuse of contraband cell phones, which can impact residents in South Georgia and nationwide.
Lance Riddle was sentenced to a total of 200 months in federal prison, equivalent to 16 years and 8 months, followed by three years of supervised release. This new sentence will run consecutively to his existing state sentence. Co-defendant Joey Amour Jackson received a sentence of 120 months, or 10 years, in federal prison, also followed by three years of supervised release, and it will also run consecutively to his current state sentence. The court will determine restitution for both defendants within 90 days. It is important to note there is no parole in the federal system.
Riddle and Jackson were found guilty on January 9 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Their trial began on January 5 and lasted five days.
According to court documents and statements referenced during the trial, FBI agents based in Columbus, Georgia, received information from law enforcement agencies across the country regarding wire fraud activities carried out by Georgia inmates. These agencies included local law enforcement from Colorado, Florida, Virginia, Nevada, California, and Ohio. Agents discovered that inmates at Calhoun State Prison, including Jackson and Riddle, were utilizing contraband cellular telephones. They employed advanced electronic techniques, such as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), to contact victims. Crucially, the phone numbers used by the inmates were designed to mirror the numbers of the victims’ local police departments, making the calls appear legitimate.
The inmates would inform victims that they had one or more warrants for their arrest due to supposedly missing jury duty. Posing as police officers, the defendants told victims that these warrants could be cleared through an immediate bond payment made over the phone. They threatened immediate arrest if payment was not made. Victims were also instructed that they were under a “gag” order, prohibiting them from discussing their warrants until the bond was paid, again under threat of immediate arrest.
Victims were primarily instructed to purchase gift cards and then read the numbers from the back of the cards to the defendants. In some instances, wire transfers were also used for payment. After the payment, victims were told to drive to their local police department to verify their signature on the bond.
The scheme escalated to highly disturbing levels for some victims. Some were instructed to go to a local Target store, enter a restroom, undress, and record themselves performing a self-conducted cavity search before verifying their signature. Following these traumatic instructions, some victims subsequently received lewd and sexually explicit messages, alongside violent threats. The fraudulent operation primarily targeted female professionals who had prominent online profiles, though the investigation also identified a small number of male victims.
The inmates impersonated both fictitious individuals and actual law enforcement officers from the victims’ local jurisdictions. They worked in coordination with co-conspirators who were outside of prison. These external partners managed the group’s financial accounts, handling the stolen proceeds. The money, totaling more than $464,920 in documented losses from the 119 identified victims, was used by the conspirators to pay off personal debts, including house and vehicle loans, and to purchase drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that the actual number of victims is likely significantly higher, as many cases go unreported, are not fully investigated, or are kept concealed by victims who are too embarrassed to come forward.
Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, commented on the case, stating, “Not even prison cells prevented these criminals from harming dozens of innocent people.” Graham expressed hope that the sentences would bring some level of comfort to the victims and prevent others from falling for similar scams. She added that the FBI will continue to work with law enforcement partners not only to address inmate-based crimes but also to prevent inmates' access to contraband cell phones, which she noted provide the means to inflict substantial harm on the unsuspecting public.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Atlanta’s Columbus Resident Agency, and the case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Leah McEwen.