Macon mother, son sentenced for roles in decade-long theft

Two Macon residents were sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay millions in restitution for defrauding a local business and the U.S. government for more than a decade, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two Macon residents were sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay millions in restitution for defrauding a local business and the U.S. government for more than a decade, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

47-year-old Billy Wells Jr. was sentenced to 57 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He must pay $2,583,003.80 in restitution to Mid-Georgia Sales and $150,000 to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company, along with with his co-defendant and mother, Eva Wells. Billy Wells was also ordered to pay $586,112 to the IRS and forfeit $3,404,772.22, according to the release.

75-year-old Eva Wells was sentenced to 46 months in prison and five years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay the same amounts in restitution and individually pay $586,112 to the IRS, with a total forfeiture of $3,990,884.22.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud a financial institution in January, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Billy Wells also pleaded guilty to making and subscribing a false return.

There is no parole in the federal system.

“The defendants used their position as trusted employees to steal from a small business for more than a decade, a crime that can carry long-term repercussions for all those affected,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said. “Working with our law enforcement partners, our office will continue to do all we can to both hold fraudsters accountable and protect hard-working and honest citizens.”

According to court documents, Eva Wells, who was the Office Manager for Mid-Georgia Sales, began issuing unauthorized checks to herself and her son from the company’s operating account in 2008. Between 2008 and 2019, she wrote $3.4 million in checks to Billy Wells, which were either cashed or deposited in his account. Billy Wells also worked for Mid-Georgia Sales in IT and sales.

“This case serves as a warning to individuals who commit fraud upon others and the U.S. government that their criminal acts will come with consequences,” IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman said.

The case was investigated by the FBI, IRS, and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard.