OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — A Mary Esther man has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple fraud and money laundering charges tied to a lottery scam that reportedly defrauded victims of approximately $530,000, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
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According to federal prosecutors, Treivorn McLeod, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the scheme operated between June 1, 2022, and Jan. 29, 2024. Prosecutors said victims were falsely told they had won millions of dollars in the Publishers Clearing House and American Cash Rewards lotteries.
According to prosecutors, victims were instructed to send advance payments of fees and costs to collect their purported winnings. The victims reportedly never received any money or prizes after making the payments.
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Federal prosecutors said the conspiracy allegedly defrauded victims of approximately $530,000.
“Fraudsters will try every angle and scheme to steal money from innocent, unsuspecting victims, so it remains of critical importance to educate the general public about these fraud threats to prevent more of our citizens from being victimized,” said U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin.
“Thanks to the excellent investigative work by our federal law enforcement partners and the aggressive prosecution by my office, this scheme has been dismantled, and this fraudster finds himself in federal prison where he belongs.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr McLeod faces up to 80 years in federal prison.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp is prosecuting the case, according to federal prosecutors.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 24, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers in Pensacola.
