Georgia Inmates Convicted in Nationwide Jury Duty Scam Targeting Hundreds

ALBANY, GA – Two Georgia inmates have been found guilty for their roles in a sophisticated, nationwide extortion scheme that originated from within the walls of Calhoun State Prison.

Following a five-day trial that concluded on January 9, 2026, Joey Amour Jackson (known as “Apes—”) and Lance Riddle (known as “C-Port”) were convicted on all counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The verdict, delivered in Albany federal court before Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands, marks a major win in the fight against inmate-led cybercrime.

The Anatomy of the Scam

The scheme utilized contraband cell phones and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology to spoof local police department numbers across at least six states, including Colorado, Florida, and California.

• The Hook: Inmates posed as local law enforcement officers and informed victims they had warrants for their arrest due to missing jury duty.
• The Coercion: Victims were told the “warrants” could be cleared by paying a bond over the phone. To prevent them from seeking help, victims were falsely told they were under a “gag order.”
• The Payment: Scammers primarily demanded payment via gift cards—asking victims to read numbers off the back—though wire transfers were also used.
• The Escalation: In some of the most disturbing instances, female victims were coerced into recording explicit videos under the guise of “heightened courthouse security.” This led to further harassment and violent threats from the inmates.

Impact and Losses

The FBI’s investigation documented over $464,920 in losses from at least 119 victims nationwide. Prosecutors noted the true scale of the crime is likely much higher, as many victims remain too embarrassed to report the fraud. The stolen funds were used by outside co-conspirators to pay off personal debts and purchase drugs for the inmates.

Federal Penalties and Prosecution

With the federal system having no parole, Jackson and Riddle now face decades in prison for crimes committed while they were already incarcerated.

“Not even prison cells prevented these criminals from harming dozens of innocent people,” said Paul Brown, FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge. “The FBI will continue to work… to prevent inmates’ access to contraband cell phones that provide the means to do so much harm.”

The case was a collaborative effort between the FBI Atlanta’s Columbus Resident Agency and Criminal Chief Leah McEwen, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies across the country.