A federal court recently sentenced two men involved in a conspiracy to sell fake gold and silver across three states.

The scheme, which defrauded victims of more than $120,000, was uncovered thanks to a Foley Police Department investigation that began in 2023.

Rossi Windham, 42, and Dylan Jemison, 21, both of Sylacauga, along with a minor whose identity is withheld due to age, were implicated in the fraudulent sale of counterfeit precious metals to victims in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The scheme unraveled after one victim reported purchasing fake gold bars from Jemison for $20,000. Jemison subsequently attempted to sell more fake items to the victim, prompting the Foley Police to initiate a sting operation.

The operation, which took place on Oct. 26, 2023, led to Jemison meeting the victim but instead being confronted by police. He was found carrying a backpack full of nearly 100 fake gold bars. As a result, Jemison was charged with first-degree theft of property and first-degree attempted theft of property.
In the days that followed, additional information from the original victim pointed to the involvement of the minor, leading the Foley Police Intelligence Unit to connect the three suspects in a conspiracy. Recognizing the severity of the case, the department alerted the FBI, as offenses involving minted gold are classified as federal crimes.

The Foley Police Department then issued a public service announcement asking potential victims to come forward. They received calls from numerous people across Alabama and Georgia, all of whom were referred to the FBI for further investigation. No other local victims were identified.

A search of Jemison's phone revealed the full extent of the operation. Investigators discovered that the minor had been advertising fake gold and silver bars and coins for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The minor claimed to have inherited the items and was selling them below market value to fund a truck purchase and college expenses.

From April to August 2023, Windham assisted the minor in the sales, at times directly coordinating transactions or accompanying the minor to meet victims. In one case, Windham himself handled a fraudulent sale. However, in August 2023, Windham distanced himself from the scheme, and the minor recruited Jemison to continue the operation. Together, they fraudulently obtained more than $120,000 from victims.

Both Windham and Jemison were ordered to pay $87,000 in restitution to seven victims who had not been reimbursed. In addition, the court mandated that they forfeit any illicit proceeds from their activities.

The case was investigated by the Foley Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with special assistance from a local Foley business. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bodnar prosecuted the case.