Everett C. Williams, 48, Corpus Christi, Texas, was indicted and charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering by a federal grand jury Wednesday, May 28, 2008. He was arrested Thursday, May 29, 2008, after surrendering to federal authorities at the U.S. Courthouse. Williams thereafter appeared before U. S. Magistrate Judge Janice Ellington and remains in federal custody pending bond determination.

The 15-count indictment charges Williams with four counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and 10 counts of money laundering arising from a scheme which he allegedly orchestrated between April and November 2003. According to allegations in the indictment, Williams made fraudulent representations and statements to a victim about assisting her in the purchase of a residence and commercial property in Corpus Christi, Texas and caused her to send him more than $400,000 by private commercial interstate carriers and interstate wire transfers to make these purchases. Williams allegedly used the victim's money for other purposes without the consent or knowledge of the victim.

Each of the 15 counts of the indictment carries a maximum punishment of 20 years imprisonment without parole and substantial fines. Each fraud count carries a maximum $250,000 fine. Each money laundering count carries a maximum $500,000 fine, or twice the value of the laundered property.