Musician’s wife also facing imprisonment for couple’s role in Jamaican lotto scam
The wife of an aspiring South Florida musician, who has already pleaded guilty to his role in a Jamaican-based lottery fraud that targeted seniors in the United States, turned herself in to face related charges on Friday.
Elizabeth Gonzalez, 25, of Hollywood and Miami Gardens, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of wire fraud and two related conspiracy charges in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on Friday.
But the prosecution said Gonzalez has agreed to a tentative plea deal with the US Attorney’s Office, and is expected to plead guilty in the next few weeks after some legal issues are addressed. She would likely face about one year to 18 months in federal prison under the proposed deal.
Gonzalez told the judge that she is supposed to be on bed rest because of complications with her pregnancy, and was released on $100,000 bond.
She is accused of receiving wire transfers from victims of lottery fraud in California, Connecticut, New York and North Carolina last December and January.
The investigators said she worked for Jamaican-based telemarketing fraudsters who contact mostly elderly victims and falsely inform them that they have won lottery or sweepstake prizes.
The callers are actually in Jamaica, but use phone numbers that appear to be in the US to tell victims that they have to pay taxes or fees before they can claim the fictitious prizes.
Gonzalez’s husband, Delroy Drummond, 26, who has the stage name ‘Top Banga’, has been locked up without bond since January. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud for his role in a $500,000 lottery hoax.
Drummond was born in Britain, but has permanent resident status in the US, where he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in May.
Investigators said they previously warned Drummond and Gonzalez about their alleged illegal activities, but the couple did not stop.
