Upstate Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Ray N. Sims, age 49, of Pauline, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Greenville to wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Sims worked for the employee leasing company Turtle & Hughes. He was placed at the Honeywell plant in Duncan, South Carolina. He served as the site manager in Duncan. As the site manager, Turtle & Hughes provided Sims with a company credit card to be used for legitimate expenses. In June 2010, Turtle & Hughes discovered some irregularities with Sims’ use of the credit card. An internal audit showed what appeared to be many items purchased for personal use. The FBI also began an investigation.

Sims was interviewed by the FBI on February 25, 2011. He admitted that he began to use the credit card for personal items beginning in 2007. He purchased University of Georgia memorabilia, televisions, electronics, gaming systems, cameras, laptops, and various other items. Some of the items he sold for cash—especially in 2009 when he was experiencing financial difficulties. The government estimates that Sims made several hundred thousand dollars in unauthorized purchases.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Sims can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.