Nola Reporter

On August 9, 2024, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictment of Joseph Harold West, Jr., a resident of St. Tammany Parish, and Chase Duncan Campbell, a resident of Cobb County, Georgia. The two men face charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343. Additionally, West has been charged with three counts of wire fraud under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.

The indictment alleges that from November 2020 through at least May 2024, West and Campbell conspired to defraud several individuals. The victims include a former political candidate referred to as Candidate 1 and four other Louisiana residents identified as Victims 1 through 4. According to the indictment:

- Candidate 1 was defrauded with fake campaign services.

- Victim 1 lost approximately $236,867 in fake real estate purchases and associated costs.

- Victim 2 was defrauded out of approximately $83,268.05 through fraudulent claims related to real estate and title work.

- Victims 3 and 4 were defrauded out of approximately $112,328.18 in connection with a fake legal defense scheme.

West and Campbell allegedly used numerous fake aliases and occupations, "burner" numbers for text messages and calls, and fraudulent invoices to carry out their schemes.

If convicted of conspiracy (Count 1), both West and Campbell face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved in the crime, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

For each count of wire fraud (Counts 2 through 4), West faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison per count, up to three years of supervised release per count, a fine up to $250,000 per count, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that an indictment is merely an accusation and that guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde from the Public Integrity Unit is prosecuting the case.