BOSTON, Mass. (WTVO) — A Rockford man has pleaded guilty to defrauding numerous people and businesses across the United States and using the money for private jets, luxury hotels, “ designer puppies ” and “elite” car rentals.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Demario Sorrells (aka “Jonte” and “Johntay”), 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on February 2nd, in court in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Sorrells was one of six people, including rap promoter Antonio Strong and rap artist Herbert Wright (aka G Herbo), indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2020.
According to court documents, beginning in March 2017 through November 2018, Sorrells, Wright, and their co-defendants used stolen credit card information obtained on the “dark web” and used fake ID cards, driver’s licenses, and email accounts to defraud the victims, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Strong obtained valuable goods and services for Sorrells, including a vacation rental of a private villa in Jamaica, private chef and security guard services, limousine and chauffer services, and on some occasions contacted him to get illicit account information he had obtained online.