Georgia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Impersonating a U.S. Marshal and Stealing $84,000

Yakima, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Charmmorro Vijay Strothers, 31, of Auburn, Georgia, was sentenced on charges of Wire Fraud and False Personation of an Officer or Employee of the United States. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 30 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, as well as restitution of $85,945.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on August 13, 2023, Strothers rented a car at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and drove to Yakima, Washington. Two days later, on August 15, Strothers' co-schemer called the victim, told her she was speaking with law enforcement, and that she had an active warrant for her arrest. The co-schemer then told the victim that to avoid arrest, she needed to drive to Egley's Bail Bonds in Yakima and pay a bond of $14,000. The co-schemer remained on the phone with the victim while she withdrew the money. The co-schemer then instructed the victim to report to the Yakima County Jail Parking lot, which is across the street from Egley's Bail Bonds.

When the victim arrived, Strothers approached the victim, collected the cash, and gave the victim a handwritten receipt indicating it was from Egley's Bail Bonds and listing a fraudulent case number.

A short time later, another co-schemer called the victim and told her a felony warrant was issued for her arrest. The victim was again told she needed to drive to the parking lot at the Yakima County Jail and this time pay a bond of $25,000 or she would be arrested. The victim complied, and Strothers collected the additional $25,000 payment. The victim asked for identification information and Strothers falsely told the victim he could not provide it because he was a United States Marshal.

On August 16, 2023, a second victim received a call informing her a federal arrest warrant was issued because she failed to appear as an expert witness. The second victim received several follow up calls. The caller ID on the victim's phone showed the number to be from the Puyallup Police Department. The victim was concerned this was a scam, but because of the information provided on the call and concern for their reputation, the victim withdrew $44,000 from her bank account. The victim met Strothers at CJ Johnson Bail Bonds in Tacoma, Washington, and handed over the money. Strothers provided the victim with a receipt and left the scene.

On August 18, 2023, law enforcement located and arrested Strothers inside the Sea-Tac airport. During a search, investigators located a receipt booklet containing a copy of the receipt issued to one of the victims and $59,000 in cash.

"Mr. Strothers used the threat of arrest as part of a fraudulent scheme to deceive law-abiding people and con them out of significant amounts money. However, once the fraud was discovered, dedicated investigators worked quickly and effectively to identify Mr. Strothers, and were waiting to take him into custody when he arrived for his flight to attempt his getaway," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect Eastern Washington from fraudsters and make our communities safe and strong."

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Yakima Police Department, and Puyallup Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten and Benjamin D. Seal prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.