David Christopher Mayhew Sentenced To 26 Years Imprisonment

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that yesterday in federal court, Senior United States District Judge James C. Fox  sentenced DAVID CHRISTOPHER MAYHEW, 43, of Raleigh, NC to 320 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  He also ordered payment of $2,025,300 in restitution

MAYHEW was named in a Superseding Indictment filed on July 2, 2014.  He was originally indicted on July 9, 2013.  His co-defendant, Ronald McCullough, has not yet been located and arrested on the charges. 

Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III stated, “The IRS, Criminal Investigation is committed to using our Agent’s financial expertise to help bring those that prey on innocent taxpayers for their own enrichment to justice.”

At trial, the Government presented evidence that MAYHEW was involved in an investment fraud scheme that spanned from January 2009 to May 2012 and swindled more than $2,000,000 from investors, promising them returns as much as 100% in 30 days.  One victim testified that he had lost his family’s house as a result of the fraud.  Two other victims testified that they had to back out of contracts to purchase property because of the fraud. 

Investigation of this case was conducted by the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation, the Postal Inspection Service, and the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office, Securities Division.  Assistant United States Attorney David A. Bragdon represented the government.  AUSA Bragdon stated: “MAYHEW used trust in himself and trust in others to deprive victims of money, money that many of them had taken a lifetime to save.”

"When making investment decisions, Investors should always consider that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the US Postal Inspection Service Charlotte Division.  "This case was especially egregious because the defendants used the victims’ religious beliefs to gain their trust and steal their money.  The US Postal Inspection Service will continue to vigorously pursue those who utilize the US Mail to steal our customers’ hard earned money."

“David Mayhew promised his victims huge investments returns, instead they lost their homes, their life savings, even property where they planned to build a church.  Now he’ll pay for his crimes behind bars.  The FBI and federal partners will keep exposing those responsible for these schemes as long as innocent people are being swindled,” said John Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.