Taurus Bartlett, better known as Polo G, is an American rapper who became well-known for his hits “Pop Out” and “Finer Things” is no stranger to getting in trouble with the law. Once getting arrested five times back to back. Including being arrested twice in California where he faced charges of kidnapping, robbery, and assault. As well as getting arrested after police found an illegal short-barrel rifle after searching his $4.9 million mansion and car.
Polo G Wired Fraud Charges
Now Polo G was facing up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false statements in federal court on Friday, July 28, 2024 has been placed on three years of probation after entering a guilty plea to participating in a credit card fraud scheme. Nevertheless, according to the prosecution, Polo G made over $140,000 in private jet travel, luxury automobile rentals, and hotel stays through this scam.
After realizing there had been fraudulent activity on their accounts, the cardholders disputed the charges with their respective card issuers. Businesses and individuals suffered losses in the amount of unlawful purchases as a result of the card providers charging Polo G and others enfold back for the transactions.
Rodeo Receive Wired Fraud Charges
Chicago Rapper “Rodeo” also known as Joseph Williams pleaded guilty in Springfield Federal Fraud Case according to the prosecution. The fraud started as early as March 2017 and continued until November 2018. Joseph Williams is accused of giving Antonio Strong illegal account information, which he then used to make purchases even though Williams knew the information was stolen. In addition, he traveled on multiple private planes, boarded commercial flights, and lodged in hotels that were funded by fraudulent account information. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy stated in a statement that “Mr. Herbert Wright used victims. payment cards to finance an extravagant lifestyle and advance his career. Using stolen account information as his very own unlimited funding source.”
Polo G is represented by attorney Bradford Cohen, who has represented rappers Draze, Lil Wayne, and Kodak Black. It is unclear who represents Trench Baby.
Taurus Bartlett, performing as Polo G, is a Columbia Records artist. His 2019 debut, “Die a Legend,” went double-platinum. The following year, his second album, “Goat,” had 10 songs chart in Billboard’s Hot 100.
In 2021, his third album, “Hall of Fame,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album’s single, “Rapstar,” spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, besting superstars Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, the Weeknd, and Ariana Grande.
All three of his albums have sold more than two million units. Polo G’s fourth album, “H.O.O.D P.O.E.T.,” has just been released.
What is Wired Fraud?
Fraud involving the use of the Internet or other communications equipment is recognized as wire fraud. These can take many different forms, such as a phone call, fax, email, text message, or social media message. Communications conducted over state or national borders are frequently involved in wire fraud, which carries severe penalties. The main reason wire fraud is such a big deal is that it implies that the accused willingly and deliberately created or took part in a plot to deceive another person out of money.
That the defendant acted to defraud, that the use of interstate wire communications was reasonably foreseeable, and that the use of interstate wire communications actually occurred.
The Penalty for Having a Felony & Receive and Wired Fraud Charges
Federal law punishes wire fraud with a maximum 20-year prison sentence. As well as fines ranging as much as $250,000 by individuals and $500,000 on behalf of corporations. Unless the wire fraud targeted a bank, in which case the statute of limitations is ten years. The statute of limitations to file a charge is five years.
A 30-year prison term and a fine of up to $1 million may be imposed for wire fraud that targets a financial institution or is connected to exceptional circumstances, such as a state of emergency declared by the president. To truly be found guilty of wire fraud, somebody need not have directly sent a fake communication or actively deceived someone. It suffices to demonstrate the intention.
Moreover, this is not talking about the long-term effects of having a felony. you may lose your liberal rights . A felony conviction may result in the loss of some civic liberties. Such as the ability to vote, carry a firearm, serve on juries, and hold public office for profit or trust. After serving your time, you may be able to regain some of these civil rights. Although this is not always the case.
By: Jada Dunkentell
Sources:
Billboard: G Herbo Sentenced to 3 Years Probation Over Credit Card Scam That Funded ‘Extravagant Lifestyle’s
Deadline: Rapping Brothers Polo G And Trench Baby Facing Criminal Charges After Police Raid
EBT: Rapper G Herbo Pleads Guilty To $140,000 Scheme To Charter Jets, Buy Designer Puppies
FOX32: Chicago-area rapper ‘Rockstar Rodie’ pleads guilty to same fraud plot as G Herbo
George Hildebrandt: THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF A FELONY ON YOUR LIFE
Investopedia: Wire Fraud Laws: Overview, Definition and Examples
News Vintner: Chicago Rapper “Rodeo” Pleads Guilty in Springfield Federal Fraud Case
Rolling Stone: Polo G Arrested Twice in California, Facing Charges of Kidnapping, Robbery, and Assault
The Fade: Polo G’s brother Trench Baby charged with murder
Featured Image Courtesy of Eddy Clio Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image #1 Courtesy of swiss nature’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image #2 Courtesy of R9 Studios FL (Thanks to all the fans!!!) Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
