TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA \u2013 Brian Brainard Wedgeworth (a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Anderson,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Anthony Watkins,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Adams,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Edward Chen,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Chris,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Chris Williamson,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Christopher Williamson,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Edmonds,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Ammerson,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Lamar Wilson,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Wilson,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Mims,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cDr. Brian Lamar Sims\u201d), 47, formerly of Tallahassee, Florida, and Center Point, Alabama, was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on May 19, 2022, to twenty-five counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney, for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur citizens should not be preyed upon by fraudsters who steal through overtures of affection,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Coody. \u201cWith the assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating and vigorously prosecuting those who engage in all acts of fraud. Moreover, today\u2019s sentence should serve as a significant deterrent to criminals of like mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to court documents, between October 2016 and March 2021, Wedgeworth devised a scheme to defraud women located across the country who he met through online dating forums by falsely representing that he was a physician in order to fraudulently obtain money and property from them. In so doing, Wedgeworth made promises to the women to induce them to send him money and buy him jewelry and watches. Wedgeworth admitted to causing, or intending to cause, a total loss of over $1.3 million to over 30 women who he victimized as a result of his scheme.<\/p>\n