Volusia County, FL — August 24, 2025
Another suspect has been extradited to Volusia County in connection with a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting local residents. Lakesha Heard, 47, of Atlanta, is facing charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud after allegedly scamming a Volusia County woman out of $9,300.
According to investigators, the victim was contacted by someone impersonating a Volusia Sheriff’s Office lieutenant. The caller claimed the woman had missed jury duty and now faced arrest unless she paid a fine. Under pressure and fearing jail time, the victim deposited $9,300 into a Bitcoin ATM as instructed.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit traced the cryptocurrency transaction to an account linked to Heard. Their investigation revealed that Heard is allegedly part of a fraud ring operated by a Georgia state prison gang. She is the latest in a string of suspects arrested in connection with this ongoing criminal enterprise.
“This is a textbook example of how fear-based scams exploit trust in law enforcement,” said a spokesperson for the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. “We’re proud of our Financial Crimes Unit for tracking the funds and securing an arrest warrant.”
Heard was extradited to Volusia County and booked into the Branch Jail. Authorities warn that she is unlikely to be the last suspect apprehended in this multi-state scheme.
👏 Kudos to the Financial Crimes Unit for their relentless pursuit of justice.
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available law enforcement reports and allegations. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details provided reflect the current status of the investigation and may evolve as new information emerges.
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