3 months ago
STOCKTON, CA - A former federal prison inmate from Stockton pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud and other charges Tuesday after bilking another inmate of more than $180,000 following claims he could get the prisoner a reduced sentence.
Michael Ronell Ussery of Stockton pleaded guilty to conspiracy and three counts each of wire fraud and mail fraud in an Illinois U.S. District courtroom Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the southern district of Illinois announced.
According to prosecutors, Ussery, 33, told the inmate he was a Drug Enforcement Administration informant who could arrange sentence reductions for federal inmates who funded DEA undercover operations.
After the inmate gave Ussery $36,500, Ussery used the inmate's identification information to steal another $145,000 from the inmate's financial account.
Ussery faces up to 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines when he is sentenced March 15, 2010.
News10/KXTV
