A Georgia woman is facing a possible twenty-year stint in federal prison after admitting to her role in a bold “jury duty” scam that targeted a Florida resident. Ciara Gay, 36, of Austell, Georgia, entered a guilty plea to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The case stems from a calculated scheme that began with a fraudulent phone call to a victim in Sarasota County. During the call, an individual impersonating a local law enforcement officer from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office told the victim she was in contempt of court.
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The reason given was a missed jury duty summons. To avoid further legal trouble, the victim was told she had to pay a significant fine immediately.
Following the scammer’s instructions, the victim withdrew $19,500 in cash from her bank account. She was then told to drive to the Sarasota County courthouse, where a government official would supposedly meet her to collect the funds.
Investigators say Gay traveled from Georgia to Florida to facilitate the handoff. She met the victim in person outside the courthouse and took the cash.
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As part of her plea agreement, Gay has agreed to forfeit $19,500, the total proceeds from the crime. While the maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is 20 years behind bars, the court has not yet scheduled a specific sentencing date.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI’s Tampa Division, the Sarasota Police Department, and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Roberts, with Assistant U.S. Attorney James Muench overseeing the forfeiture of the stolen money.
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