St. Tammany Parish Man and Georgia Man Indicted for Scheme to Defraud Former Political Candidate and Four Other Louisiana Residents

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, on August 9, 2024, JOSEPH HAROLD WEST, JR. ("WEST"), a resident of St. Tammany Parish, and CHASE DUNCAN CAMPBELL ("CAMPBELL"), a resident of Cobb County, Georgia, were indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343. WEST was also charged with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.

According to the indictment, from as early as November 2020, and continuing through at least May 2024, WEST and CAMPBELL conspired to: defraud Candidate 1 with fake campaign services; defraud Victim 1 out of approximately $236,867 in fake real estate purchases and associated costs; defraud Victim 2 out of approximately $83,268.05 in fraudulent claims of real estate and title work; and defraud Victims 3 and 4 out of approximately $112,328.18 in connection with a fake legal defense scheme. Among other things, WEST and CAMPBELL utilized numerous fake aliases and occupations, "burner" numbers for text messages and calls, and fraudulent invoices to defraud their victims.

If convicted of conspiracy (Count 1), WEST and CAMPBELL eachface a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

If convicted of wire fraud (Counts 2 through 4), for each count WEST faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit.