10 individuals were charged by a Fulton County Grand Jury for their roles in perpetuating mortgage fraud in south Atlanta, Georgia.

Victor Shackleford is charged with fourteen counts of Residential Mortgage Fraud; Wayne Pettway is charged with twelve counts of Residential Mortgage Fraud; Cherri Dallas and Ohmar Braden are charged with six counts of Residential Mortgage Fraud; Christopher Starnes and Wendy Mitchell are charged with five counts of Residential Mortgage Fraud; Samara Jenkins and Yoshunda Jones are charged with four counts of Residential Mortgage Fraud; and Leroy Harris and Kai Fluker are charged with three counts of Residential Mortgage Fraud. Each count of Residential Mortgage Fraud (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-102) is punishable by one to ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.00.

The indictments charge that between November 2006 and November 2007 the defendants made misrepresentations or omissions during the process of obtaining mortgages for properties in south Atlanta, and/or received proceeds from the fraudulent closings. All the homes have since gone into foreclosure status.

Assistant Attorney General Greg Lohmeier is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. Lohmeier presented the case to the Fulton County Grand Jury on March 22, 2011, and the Grand Jury returned the indictments the same day in Fulton County Superior Court. The case was investigated by Sergeant Robert McFall of the Atlanta Police Department.

Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual(s) against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.