A Chicago woman has admitted her involvement in a wire fraud conspiracy targeting United States service members. Jetauwn T. Griffin, 31, entered a guilty plea in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The plea was made before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie Epps, Jr., after Griffin waived her right to a grand jury.
The scheme involved contacting newly enlisted military personnel through social media platforms. Conspirators would pose as senior military officials and falsely inform the service members that they were being underpaid and owed additional salary. Victims were instructed to return their previous pay via cash applications with the promise of receiving higher compensation afterward. However, once the money was transferred, it was never returned.
Griffin’s role included handling these cash transfers and conducting financial transactions that moved the victims’ funds into accounts accessible by all members of the conspiracy.
Griffin faces up to 20 years in federal prison without parole under federal statutes. The final sentence will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other factors following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
