Owners Of Charlotte-Based Fraudulent Debt Collection Company Are Sentenced To Prison For Collecting

Owners Of Charlotte-Based Fraudulent Debt Collection Company Are Sentenced To Prison For Collecting More Than $5.7 Million From Unsuspecting Victims - Including Older Adults - Using Abusive And Intimidating Tactics

The Pair Were Convicted at Trial Earlier this Year


CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Laurence A. Sessum, 46, of Matthews, N.C., and Jacqueline Dianne Okomba, 51, of Salisbury, N.C., were sentenced to 135 months and 72 months in prison, respectively, for defrauding victims throughout the United States of at least $5.7 million through their fraudulent Charlotte-based debt collection company, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. also ordered the defendants to serve two years under court supervision after they are released from prison.

In April 2019, a federal jury convicted Sessum and Okomba of wire fraud conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Sessum was also convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and wire fraud.

John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Division, joins the U.S. Attorney’s Office in making today’s announcement.

According to filed court documents, trial evidence and witness testimony, and today’s sentencing hearing, from October 2013 to January 2017, Sessum was the owner and operator of Direct Processing LLC (Direct Processing) a fraudulent debt collection company with offices in Mecklenburg County. Sessum was also the leader and organizer of the debt scheme. Okomba, was the registered agent and member-owner of Direct Processing, who also worked as a manager in charge of overseeing other company collectors and managed the finances and bank accounts of Direct Processing.

Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/owners-charlotte-based-fraudulent-debt-collection-company-are-sentenced-prison