Florida Woman Accused of Scamming Local Man Out of Over $26K Waives Hearing

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published May 31, 2018 4:30 am
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NEW BETHLEHEM BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – A Florida woman, currently lodged in the Clarion County Jail, waived her preliminary hearing on felony charges stemming from an alleged scam that robbed a New Bethlehem man out of more than $26,000.00.

According to court documents, one third-degree felony charge of theft by deception and one third-degree felony charge of criminal use of a communication facility against 37-year-old Syretta Senicka Johnson, of Orlando, FL, were transferred to Clarion County Court of Common Pleas on May 29.

Johnson remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail on $30,000.00 monetary bail.

Details of the Case:

On November 7, 2017, Clarion County Chief Detective William H. Peck, IV, received a complaint from a citizen about his father, a New Bethlehem Borough resident, being scammed out of $26,045.00 by an Orlando-based company called Discover Code Financial, LLC. in Orlando, Florida.

Clarion County Detective Roger E. Wright filed a criminal complaint at Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller’s office on January 11 indicating the victim used his bank account to issue two checks to Discover Code Financial LLC.

The criminal complaint indicates that one check was written on May 30, 2017, in the amount of $19,095.00 and deposited at an Orlando-area credit union on June 6, 2017. The back of the check was endorsed by 36-year-old Syretta Senicka Johnson, of Orlando.

A second check, in the amount of $6,950.00, was written on June 20, 2017, and deposited on June 23, 2017. The endorsement portion on the back of the check had “Deposit Only” written onto it.

According to the Florida Department of State website, Syretta Johnson formed the company Discover Code Financial LLC on February 6, 2017. The website lists the company as “Credit Repair Marketing Sales.” Syretta Johnson is listed as the registered agent and manager for the company.

During a November 16, 2017, interview, the victim told Detective Wright that he received a phone call from a woman who claimed to be his financial advisor.

The victim said the woman told him that she worked for Discover Code Financial LLC and that his bank was not giving him a good interest rate, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim then said the woman told him that if he sent his money to Discover Code Financial LLC that she would get him a “far better interest rate” than what he was getting through his bank.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim proceeded to write out the checks and send them to Discover Code Financial LLC under the assumption that it was a legitimate company.

The victim did not receive any services in exchange for the money sent and had no further access to it, according to the criminal complaint.

In December 2017, Detective Wright worked in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Florida to obtain a subpoena for Discover Code Financial LLC’s credit union records.

On January 9, 2018, Detective Wright received the records as requested.

The records confirmed the account was owned by Syretta Johnson and showed the deposit of the victim’s check for $19,095.00.

No information was provided on the second check.

Checks written to Discover Code Financial LLC by other individuals were also provided. These checks had “stop payment” and “non-sufficient funds” stamped on them.

Detective Wright subsequently filed one third-degree felony charge of theft by deception and one third-degree felony charge of criminal use of a communication facility against Syretta Johnson.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking $26,045.00 in restitution.

Johnson’s criminal history includes several cases dating back to 2004 including charges of fraudulent use of personal information, theft, forgery, extortion, and battery.

As of January 15, 2018, Discover Code Financial LLC was still listed as an active limited liability company in the state of Florida.

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