May 19, 2017
ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Helen Jackson, 50, of Hornell, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who handled the case, Helen Jackson agreed to receive money, which had been obtained by others through fraud, into her bank account and then forward the money to various individuals in Nigeria. The U.S. Attorneys says that when she was originally interviewed by the FBI, Jackson claimed that she was not aware and that she was involved in a fraud. The FBI explained that she was participating in fraudulent activity, and directed her to cease accepting and forwarding any further money and Jackson agreed to stop.
But according to U.S. Attorney Field, a few months later, Jackson resumed sending money to individuals in Nigeria. In total, Jackson forwarded at least $30,000 obtained by fraud from a victim. The plea is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen. Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2017, at 9:15 a.m., before Judge Siragusa.
