Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Ryan Newell, 31, and Cory Woods, 29, both of Columbia, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in armed bank robberies. Newell was sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three armed bank robberies and corresponding firearm offenses. Woods was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to single armed bank robbery and firearm offenses.
Evidence presented to the Court showed both Newell and Woods were responsible for three armed takeovers and robberies of banks located in the Midlands of South Carolina. On January 24, 2018, Woods and Newell stole over $33,000 from a First Citizens bank in Columbia. The second robbery occurred at a TD Bank in Irmo on February 24, 2018, where Newell and Woods stole over $17,000. The final robbery occurred on March 5, 2018, at a Wells Fargo in Chapin. In the final robbery, Newell and Woods stole over $28,000, then left the bank and took law enforcement on a high speed chase down I-26. Ultimately, Newell and Woods crashed into the median and were arrested.
Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia sentenced Ryan Newell to 298 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. Judge Wooten sentenced Cory Woods to 108 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the Chapin Police Department, the Irmo Police Department, and the Columbia Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney William Camden Lewis of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Contact Person: Bill Watkins (864) 282-2100
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Sharon Johnson, age 50, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court in Greenville, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, of Greenville, sentenced Johnson to 27 months imprisonment, ordered that she pay $385,425.75 in restitution, and placed her on three years of supervised release. Johnson, previously on bond, was taken into custody at the conclusion of the hearing.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Patricia Sullivan, who has pled guilty and is awaiting final sentencing, and Sharon Johnson were co-conspirators in a scheme and artifice to defraud various individuals. Sullivan is the former postmaster for Greenville, South Carolina. She also operated a company called HYPD Publishing (“HYPD”). In March 2009, HYPD published The Struggle of Love written by Sharon Denise Johnson.
Shortly after publication of Johnson’s book, Sullivan and Johnson began to spin a story that the producer Tyler Perry had bought the rights to The Struggle of Love and would be making a movie or reality TV show staring Johnson. Victims were told that Sullivan and Johnson were on the verge of great wealth, but needed bridge loans or some other form of financial assistance until the project with Perry reached fruition. Sullivan and Johnson promised the investors large returns in exchange for the loans and/or investments.
To make themselves look the part of successful individuals, Sullivan and Johnson squatted in several mansions, took photos, and posted them to Facebook. They also created fictitious documents from an accounting firm that “documented” the sale of the book and a huge payout to come as well as a bogus Wells Fargo statement that showed millions of dollars as pending.
Of course, there was no book deal with Tyler Perry and the victims lost the money loaned and/or invested.
The case was investigated by agents of United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Patricia G. Sullivan, age 66, and Sharon D. Johnson, age 50, both of Columbia, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Patricia Sullivan, who formerly served as postmaster for Greenville County, and Sharon Johnson were co-conspirators in a scheme to defraud various individuals. Sullivan operated a company called HYPD Publishing (“HYPD”). In March 2009, HYPD published The Struggle of Love written by Sharon Johnson.
Shortly after publication of Johnson’s book, Sullivan and Johnson began to spin a story that the producer Tyler Perry had bought the rights to The Struggle of Love and would be making a movie or reality TV show staring Johnson. Victims were told that Sullivan and Johnson were on the verge of great wealth, but needed bridge loans or some other form of financial assistance until the project with Perry reached fruition. Sullivan and Johnson promised the victims large returns in exchange for the loans and/or investments.
To make themselves look the part of successful individuals, Sullivan and Johnson squatted in several mansions, took photos, and posted them to Facebook. They also created fictitious documents from an accounting firm that “documented” the sale of the book and a huge payout to come, as well as a bogus Wells Fargo statement that showed millions of dollars as pending.
Of course, there was no book deal with Tyler Perry and the victims lost the money loaned and/or invested. Law enforcement estimates that the loss to the victims is approximately $300,000.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty defendants can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
