Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Thirteen individuals, led by Crispian Atkins of Valrico, Florida, have been charged in a multi-million dollar nationwide scheme to defraud staffing and payroll companies, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. The indictment alleges the defendants conspired to commit wire fraud and wire fraud by falsely representing business contracts and submitting fraudulent timesheets to obtain nearly $2.5 million in illicit proceeds.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
According to the indictment, the fraudulent operation ran from May 2021 to March 2024, targeting eight victim-companies across the United States. These companies specialized in providing employment, payroll services, and financial funding.
Crispian Atkins is accused of falsely claiming to have IT-related business contracts, then engaging the victim-companies to provide services or hire him and his co-defendants as “temporary employees.” The scheme involved submitting fabricated timesheets, leading the victim-companies to wire payments to Atkins and his associates.
Once the funds were obtained, the indictment states that Atkins and his co-defendants transferred the proceeds to other accounts and withdrew cash to obscure the money’s origins. They then shared in the fraudulently acquired funds.
Defendants and Potential Penalties
Crispian Atkins, 51, of Valrico, Florida, faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 284 years in federal prison.
The twelve co-defendants charged alongside Atkins are Henry Bell (61, Tampa, FL), Grace Almonte (44, Miami, FL), Christopher Williamson (39, Daytona Beach, FL), Willie Beard (68, Tampa, FL), Franklin Revels (54, Tampa, FL), Valeria Walker (57, Monroe, GA), Tremayne Eddings (47, Miami, FL), Katrina Osborne (52, Tampa, FL), Natasha Martin (49, Pinellas Park, FL), Cameron Atkins (42, St. Louis, MO), Derrick Stephenson (38, Tampa, FL), and Virgil Thomas (45, Houston, TX). Each of these defendants faces a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment.
The indictment also includes a forfeiture notice, indicating the United States intends to seize $2,462,992.81, which is alleged to be the total proceeds obtained from the criminal activities.
Investigation and Legal Process
This extensive investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Las Vegas Division, including its Reno Resident Agency, and the Tampa Division. Critical assistance was provided by the Norwood Police Department in Massachusetts and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts will lead the prosecution of this case. As with all federal criminal proceedings, an indictment serves as a formal accusation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Next Steps
The unsealing of this indictment marks a significant development in the effort to combat complex financial fraud schemes targeting businesses nationwide. The charges underscore the Department of Justice’s commitment to pursuing individuals who exploit legitimate business services for illicit financial gain, with severe penalties awaiting those found guilty.
