WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — A Wood County man faces 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
U.S. Attorneys said Jeffrey Jeffers, 35, of Williamstown, pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing over $500,000 from a gas distribution company that he worked for. By pleading guilty, Jeffers admitted to fraudulently charging company-issued credit cards over a two-year period from 2022 to 2024, ultimately taking that money for himself.
Jeffers didn’t have to refuel outside of the distribution facility with the routes he took, the U.S. Attorney’s Office release said.
“This defendant exploited the trust placed in him by his employer and turned a company resource into a personal revenue stream,” U.S. Attorney Moore Capito said. “Fraud is not a victimless crime. Every dollar stolen through deception is a dollar taken from a business, its employees, and ultimately the community it serves.”
“This case demonstrates that complex fraud schemes carried out behind computer screens and online payment platforms are no less serious than any other form of theft,” Capito continued. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who believe they can enrich themselves through dishonesty and abuse of trust.”
Jeffers will be sentenced November 9.
In addition to 20 years behind bars, he’ll serve up to three years of supervised release and will be fined up to $250,000. Jeffers owes $510,465.19 in restitution.