DANVILLE, VIRGINIA -- A former inmate at Green Rock Correctional Center in Chatham, Va., pled guilty this morning in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Danville to fraud charges.

Stanley Paul Tatum, 58, of Chatham, Va., waived his right to be indicted this morning and pled guilty to a one count Information charging him with mail fraud. The maximum penalty faced by the defendant at sentencing is 20 years in federal prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

According to evidence presented by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Bubar, Tatum was a inmate at Green Rock Correctional Center from at least July 15, 2008 through December 9, 2008. During this time period, Tatum engaged in a fraudulent scheme in which he portrayed himself to others via the telephone, mail and personal visits, to be a millionaire.

After portraying himself as a millionaire, Tatum convinced individuals to send him various amounts of money in the form of United States Postal Money Orders. He then convinced an auto dealers to release a new automobile to a friend of his. Tatum also convinced Geico to create eight insurance policies for several other vehicles.

In all, it is estimated that Tatum’s fraudulent scheme resulted in the loss of approximately $33,211.

The investigation of the case was conducted by Special Agent Craig O’Der, Jr., Office of the Inspector General for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Bubar is prosecuting the case for the United States.

 

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