23 charged with theft after Redstone Federal Credit Union loses over $2 million to fraud

David Gambino, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
2 min read
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May 11—Eighteen of 23 people charged with theft after allegedly receiving fraudulent account transfers through Redstone Federal Credit Union totaling over $2 million were arrested Wednesday, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.

"The funds were then used through various means: ATM withdrawals, in-store or online purchases, and Cash App," MCSO said in a press release. "To date, there has been a total of over $3,453,655.72 in attempted transfers with a total loss of over $2,000,397.01."

MCSO said the credit union experienced an influx of transfer fraud beginning in September of last year. MCSO investigators, assisted by the FBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and Green Research & Technology, identified 23 suspects in Morgan County.

Sixteen were charged with first-degree theft and booked into Morgan County Jail on $5,000 bonds:

—Bobby Wilkins, 61, of Decatur

—Nia Janaa Brown, 20, of Decatur

—Devron Lerand Carroll, 23, of Decatur

—Cody Allen Powell, 32, of Lacey's Spring

—Jayden Mekhi Burton, 19, of Decatur

—Markus De'angelo Tapscott, 18, of Hartselle

—Rosie Lee Wallace, 51, of Decatur

—Steven Lee Steiner, 71, of Decatur

—Stella Jean Couch, 53, of Hartselle

—John Karlik Jr., 58, of Decatur

—Krista Lynn Spurgeon, 44, of Lacey's Spring

—Eterniti Lee-Ann Powell, 44, of Huntsville

—Paula Carol Ivey Hatfield, 55, of Hartselle

—Lily-Grace Little, 19, of Priceville

—Tamari Michelle Boulden, 21, of Decatur

—Tyeisha Amia Lewis, 22, of Decatur

Two Decatur women were charged with second-degree theft and booked into jail on $2,500 bonds: Arieanna Michelle Swopes, 20, and Dana Carter Mosely, 56.

Arrest warrants were issued for five other Decatur residents:

—Kobe Elijah Sharpley, 21

—Calup Duvun Cunningham, 21

—Traevion Malik Hill-Lawson, 18

—Joseph Anthony Berry, 68

—Jakey Deshun Conner, 22 (in custody in another county)

Those with outstanding warrants "are encouraged to turn themselves in at the Morgan County Sheriff's Office," according to the release.

Affidavits signed by investigators share similar language in describing the crimes and accuse the defendants of using "a fraud scheme to illegally obtain funds."

MCSO said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

— david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438.

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