Georgia man sentenced to 46 months for $2.6M sweepstakes fraud

Jimmy Smith, a 31-year-old Jamaican national, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on June 24, 2026, for orchestrating a sweepstakes scam that victimized residents across multiple states, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala handed down the sentence in Hartford, Connecticut, following Smith's guilty plea in November 2025 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

The Fraud Scheme

Smith and co-conspirators defrauded at least four victims residing in Connecticut, New York, Texas, and California by falsely telling them they had won a Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and needed to pay taxes or fees to claim the prize, according to the Justice Department statement. One Connecticut victim alone was induced to send a $75,000 check for a purported $2.5 million sweepstakes prize.

Keshelski Bates, identified as Smith's co-conspirator, controlled bank accounts used to receive and launder proceeds from the scheme. Bates has pleaded guilty to the same charge and awaits sentencing.

The scammers used a mailing address in Brooklyn, New York to receive funds from victims, facilitating the interstate nature of the fraud. The total loss across all victims exceeded $2.6 million.

Investigation and Prosecution

Smith was arrested on March 17, 2025, in Hinesville, Georgia, where he was residing at the time. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Hinesville Police Department, and the Orlando Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather M. Cherry prosecuted the case on behalf of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David X. Sullivan.

Sentencing Details

Smith is currently on bond and electronic monitoring pending his surrender date of August 24, 2026, when he must report to federal prison to begin serving his 46-month sentence. The substantial sentence reflects the scope of the fraud, the number of victims, and the sophistication of using multiple states and postal channels to perpetrate the scheme.

The case underscores ongoing law enforcement efforts to combat sweepstakes fraud, which preys on victims with false promises of major prizes and fabricated tax obligations.