Federal prosecutors in North Dakota said Lavrick Willocks of Jamaica agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy for masterminding a lottery scam that bilked at least 90 mostly elderly Americans of more than .7 million. Prosecutors said they will dismiss 65 other counts against Willocks, including wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. He faces a prison sentence of up to 40 years, though prosecutors said they’ll recommend a shorter sentence in return for Willocks’ guilty plea. They also said they will recommend he pay restitution.
Authorities began investigating Willocks and 14 other individuals in North Dakota in 2012 when a resident of Harvey lost her life savings of more than $300,000 to scam artists in 2011. The case, called “Operation Hard Copy,” involved the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Willocks and nine other people were extradited to North Dakota. All pleaded not guilty and a trial has been scheduled to begin January 22, 2018. Court documents do not indicate if Willocks will testify against his co-defendants or if they also might accept plea deals. Two of the remaining five suspects are in custody in Jamaica awaiting extradition. Three still remain fugitives.
