Seven people entered guilty pleas last week in Fayette Superior Court on racketeering charges resulting from a scheme to burn newly-purchased mobile homes for insurance money.
Although one of the incidents happened in Fayette County at the Shiloh Mobile Home Park, several others occurred elsewhere in Georgia and in two other states, prosecutors said. The scheme involved the recruitment of single mothers who were used to purchase the mobile homes, which would then be insured for their contents prior to the fires, officials said.
Fayette County sheriff’s detectives said the scheme was hatched to reap the windfall from the insurance money.
One of the defendants, who participated in organizing the scheme, was identified as Diana Lukisha Moore of Columbus. Moore was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years probation and a $4,000 fine.
The following six defendants also pled guilty last week to one count of participating in a racketeer influenced and corrupt organization:
• Ashley Simmons of Columbus, sentenced to 15 years probation, with the first being on intensive probation and a $4,000 fine;
• Shaemeka Miller of Columbus, sentenced to 60 days in the county jail, 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine;
• Quitiffney Murff of Columbia, S.C., sentenced to 60 days in the county jail, 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine;
• Tamera Nicholas of Columbus, sentenced to 60 days in the county jail, 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine;
• Brandon Brown of Columbus, sentenced to 60-120 days in a detention center followed by 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine; and
• Shantavia Nichole Stewart of Fort Valley, Ga., sentenced to 60 days in the county jail, 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine.
A hearing will be scheduled at a later date to determine the amount of restitution that each defendant must pay.
Other codefendants in the case are scheduled to be put on trial at a later date.
