Mother and Son Indicted on Mortgage Fraud and Drug Charges

TAMPA, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the unsealing of indictments today charging Maxine Williams-Salter (61, St. Peterburg) and her son Antorrio Williams (27, Tampa), in two separate cases.

Maxine Williams-Salter is charged with wire fraud related to a mortgage application and loan, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. If convicted on the charge, Maxine Williams-Salter faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Williams-Salter that the United States intends to seek a forfeiture money judgment against her, in the amount of $382,500, which represents the proceeds that she obtained as a result of such violation, or forfeiture of the real property located at 546 50th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33705, as a substitute asset for the forfeiture money judgment.

According to the indictment, in October, 2007, Maxine Williams-Salter devised a scheme and artifice to defraud SunTrust Mortgage for a mortgage loan in the amount of $382,500 to purchase a second home located at 5404 Reflections Blvd., Lutz, Florida, 33558. The indictment alleges that Maxine Williams-Salter falsely inflated her income, sources of income, and assets to induce the mortgage loan lender into funding the mortgage loan. The indictment also alleges that the income information she provided to the mortgage company on her loan application was materially different from what was reported to the Internal Revenue Service on her Income Tax Returns.

Antorrio Williams is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. If convicted on the charge, Antorrio Williams faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years and up to a maximum of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Antorrio Williams that the United States intends to seek forfeiture of two vehicles, a 2006 Infiniti Q56 and a 2003 Cadillac Escalade, which are alleged to be property used to facilitate the offense or to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

According to the indictment, Antorrio Williams conspired with others, from 2001 until November 2010, to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana in Pinellas County.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

The cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew H. Perry.