Chicago Man Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for $1.5 Million Scheme to Obtain Two Dozen Luxury Vehicles Using Stolen Identities
Alexander Weatherspoon, a/k/a “Tyler Simmons,” 28, of Chicago, Illinois, has been sentenced to 6 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements. According to court documents, from December 2017 to August 2019, Weatherspoon participated in a scheme using other individuals’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth, to finance luxury vehicles. Weatherspoon was able to obtain four Dodge Charger Hellcats and a Porsche Panamera GTS from dealerships in Miami, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Jamestown, North Dakota. Once the vehicles were purchased and delivered to Weatherspoon, he defaulted on the loans he took out in other’s names and either kept or sold the vehicles for less than retail value.
On August 27, 2019, FBI agents interviewed Weatherspoon about the scheme. During the interview, Weatherspoon lied to the agents about his identity and falsely stated he purchased one of the vehicles for $25,000. In fact, Weatherspoon used a stolen identity to finance the purchase from a dealer for $56,443.
In total, investigators found that Weatherspoon was responsible for securing $1,450,646 in fraudulent financing for 24 vehicles.
Hoosiers are key to stopping poaching
Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Hoosiers to help the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) put an end to poaching by reporting potential violations to Turn In a Poacher, Inc. (TIP). TIP is a nonprofit conservation organization that partners with DNR protects fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice.
A poacher is a thief who illegally steals wildlife that belongs to all Hoosiers. DNR manages wildlife for everyone, and every person can help TIP support DNR efforts by reporting potential violations at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov. Doing so will help conserve wildlife for future generations.
Call TIP if you see, hear, or learn about poaching or another violation regarding fish and wildlife. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, or you can remain anonymous if you choose. In 2022 TIP received nearly 600 tips and paid thousands of dollars in rewards for tips that have led to the arrest of a suspect.
Fall Cleanup Scheduled at City’s Rose Hill, White Oak Cemeteries
Parks and Recreation will conduct a routine fall cleanup of Rose Hill and White Oak Cemeteries beginning Oct. 10. The fall cleanup includes removing decorative items, including flags, flowers, and figurines, not firmly attached to monuments. Items attached in vases or as saddles will be removed if they are in poor condition, or outdated and out of season (e.g. Fourth of July decorations). Families who wish to keep flowers or other decorations may remove them before Oct. 10.
Properly placed decorations are attached to a monument as a saddle or in attached vases. Decorations placed directly in or on the ground, including flowers, candles, or shepherd’s hooks, will be removed. Decorations policies at both cemeteries prohibit the use of any glass decorations.
For more information about Rose Hill or White Oak Cemetery, or about the decorations policies or the fall cleanup, contact the cemetery office at 812-349-3498. To look up cemetery burial records, or for more information about the history of the city’s two cemeteries, visit the Rose Hill and White Oak Cemeteries website.
City of Bloomington Local-Motion Grant Program Application Opens
The City of Bloomington ihas opened the 2023 Local-Motion Grant Program application cycle. to provide direct support to initiatives that focus on local activities to foster a diverse and vibrant walking and bicycling culture. The City of Bloomington and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission believe that creating a walk- and bicycle-friendly environment goes beyond infrastructure development. It involves encouraging and educating the community about the benefits of active transportation modes.
Program Guidelines – Organizations wishing to apply, may submit one project application per annual grant cycle. Grant awards are available with a maximum cap of $2,400 per project application. The program welcomes applications from existing or emerging non-profit organizations, locally owned businesses, and neighborhood associations with innovative projects that promote walking and bicycling. Please find detailed guidelines here.
The application window for 2023 is now open. Interested parties are encouraged to review the program information before applying. The application deadline is November 3, 2023.
Artist Sought to Paint Governor’s Official Portrait
he tradition of Hoosier artists creating portraits of Indiana’s governors dates back more than 150 years. Now, the state has opened the search for the next artist to join that tradition and paint the official portrait of Gov. Eric Holcomb for the historic Indiana Governors’ Portrait Collection.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is accepting applications online through Oct. 23 and will coordinate the selection process to determine the painter who will receive the honor of the commission. Once complete, the approximately 42-inch by 32-inch oil or acrylic painting will become the 55th portrait in the collection, which is managed by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
Learn more Governor’s Portrait Artist Call.
This Week in Hoosier History
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