Source: United States Department of Justice News
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Samuel Sturkie Jackson, Jr., 51, of Pelion, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding individual investors out more than three million dollars.
“When taxpayers invest their hard-earned money in a business, they have every right to expect that no one will rob them,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “Samuel Jackson did exactly that, and stole millions. With the thorough work of our state and federal partners, this Office brought him to justice and he will spend several years in federal prison and has been ordered to make restitution to his victims.”
“The U.S. Secret Service remains focused on bringing those who commit financial crimes to justice,” said John Hirt, Special Agent in Charge of the Columbia Field Office for the U.S. Secret Service. “In this instance, Samuel Jackson turned his investors into victims, betraying their trust to carry out his own embezzlement scheme. I commend our partners at SLED and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts working alongside the U.S. Secret Service personnel that investigated this case in order to bring some justice to the victims in this scheme.”
“White-collar crime costs all of us,” said South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Chief Mark Keel. “SLED agents and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to defraud others.”
Evidence presented to the Court showed that, while operating an Automated Transaction Machine (ATM) business called Little Giant ATM, Jackson solicited investments from individual investors and promised them a monthly rate of return. The purpose of these investments was to load cash into the ATM machines, with anticipated profits from transaction fees. However, from 2015 to 2019, Jackson converted money from the business and investor deposits to his own use, spending the money on farm equipment, cars, and trips to Las Vegas. Through this scheme, Jackson defrauded Little Giant ATM investors of over $3.4 million.
United States District Judge Terry Wooten sentenced Jackson to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Jackson was also ordered to pay $3.4 million in restitution.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and SLED. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Book Andrews prosecuted the case.