Three Sentenced in Multi-State Fraud Scheme

Micah Bowens of Henderson, Nev., was sentenced to 48 months in prison for leading a mortgage fraud scheme in Phoenix, San Diego and Las Vegas. Jennifer Sellers, a real estate agent from Las Vegas, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and Alonzo Love of San Diego was sentenced to 14 months. All three pleaded guilty to charges related to their participation in a five-year conspiracy involving the purchase of 19 properties using fraudulent loan documents. Seven other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty for their involvement and will be sentenced over the next few months. According to Diane J. Humetewa, U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona, from May 2002 through May 2007 Bowens, Sellers, Love and others conspired to commit mortgage fraud in Phoenix, San Diego and Las Vegas by fraudulently submitting mortgage loan applications on behalf of straw buyers under false pretenses, obtaining and disbursing the proceeds of fraudulently obtained loans, including directing portions of the proceeds to bank accounts in Bowen's, Seller's, Love's and other defendants' control. The trio used the proceeds to purchase expensive homes, luxury vehicles, jewelry and other personal expenses. The conspiracy resulted in a loss to lending institutions of approximately $2.5 million.