Consumer Watch Helps Put Scammer Away

It's a case federal prosecutors described as being about greed and deception… that of Wallace Lawrence III. 

If you missed it, we uncovered the scam he was running in the metro.  In court, it came out that the day after our story aired, he stopped his con in our state… and went nationwide!  He posted ads on Craigslist in Dallas, Louisville, Los Angeles and other cities.  Some people never learn.  He actually thought he could keep up his scam. 

Prosecutors asked for our help in putting together their case.  They had about 18 victims willing to testify, but they also need me to take the stand.  I had previous conversations with Lawrence when I was undercover posing as a consumer in need of help.  To be honest, I was excited to testify.  I wish it were more common, but it's not everyday I expose a scam and then see the bad guy get put away. 

But it happened.  A jury convicted Wallace on all 10 counts and now he's awaiting sentencing. But he didn't act alone.  Prosecutors say he had a partner in life, and a partner in crime.  The jury also convicted Carri Adams – his accomplice, who also happens to be pregnant with his baby.  She was the one posting the scam on Craigslist.  She testified that she was a victim in all of this and didn't realize the ads she was posting had to do with a scam.  I didn't buy it, and neither did the jury.

The Secret Service also pinned Sandra Acuna with 2 counts for her involvement.  She was working at 3 doctor's offices and stealing patients credit card and checking account numbers so that she could help Wallace and Adams facilitate their scam.  She pled guilty and ended up testifying against Wallace and Adams.  She said the reason they initially started the scam was to raise money to take care of their mounting legal bills.  Yep, they have a criminal past.     

If you want to watch the previous stories, it will help fill in the blanks as to how this all unfolded.  Now it's up to the judge to decide how much time they'll get behind bars.  Sentencing is still probably a few months away, but I'll let you know when I find out.

More:

• Amanda Taylor to Testify Against Alleged Scammers in Federal Court
• Consumer Watch Team Exposes Utility Bill Scam
• Consumer Watch: Woman Accused in Craigslist Utility Bill Scam
• Craigslist Scammer Worked at Doctor's Offices, Stole Credit Cards
• Medical Patients Latest Victims in Craigslist Utility Bill Scam