LACROSSE, Wis. – Arrest warrants have been issued for a gang of Jamaican nationals for the scamming of $450,000 from an elderly LaCrosse couple. The warrants, signed by Judge Scott Horne, asked law enforcement agencies nationwide wide to apprehend:
> Gavin J. Mcintosh, age 37.
> Faedar Brittanya Rockhead, 24.
> Shanice Shereece Reeves, 31.
> Tanya Santanya Rockhead, 34.
> Malcolm Christopher Sterlin, 26.
The elderly couple, ages 78 and 76, never met the scammers but were in contact — 2,419 times — over nine months, according to the warrants. The LaCrosse couple went to police in December. The scam began, they said, with a message that they had won sweepstakes from Publisher’s Clearing House and Reader’s Digest. First, they were told, they needed to pay taxes and fees. The couple made payments in cash and gift cards. Most of the money came from retirement savings. This was from May through December 2024. During the scam, investigators said, the thieves downloaded malware for access to everything on the couple’s computer. It was not believed the scammers were ever in LaCrosse but in continuing transit. Their trail included Florida, Nevada, Massachusetts and Virginia. Their Jamaican passports facilitated their travels, police said.
if convicted
The charges are punishable by 12-1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.