In order to defraud more than a dozen victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, an Ohio man pretended to be a Ghanaian prince and was sentenced to 20 years in jail on Wednesday.
According to the evidence presented at his trial, Daryl Robert Harrison, also known as Prince Daryl R. Attipoe and Prophet Daryl R. Attipoe, defrauded at least 14 individuals out of more than $800,000.
On charges of mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to conduct mail and wire fraud, and witness tampering, Harrison was found guilty in September.
According to the prosecution, Harrison stole money from individuals over a period of years while they thought they were investing in mining and trucking businesses in Africa.
According to the Justice Department, Harrison made up his identity as a Ghanaian prince and his ties to those businesses.
Harrison and his stepfather claimed to be pastors at the Power House of Prayer Ministries, where a number of Harrison's victims claimed to be members. Prosecutors allege that Harrison and his stepfather spent the investment money on themselves, including renting a home in Colorado and buying expensive vehicles.
In contrast to the 14-year sentence requested by the prosecution, District Michaelq J. Newman sentenced Harrison to the maximum period of time permitted by law—20 years in prison.
"Each of the Defendant's fraud crimes were committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated fashion," prosecutors wrote in court filings, describing Harrison as a "extremely selfcentered, self-possessed sociopath who has no respect for societal rules or norms, and further lacks any empathy or sympathy for his victims" that "intimidated and threatened his victims to establish and maintain control over them."
Using letters of support from parishioners and family members, Harrison had pleaded with the court for a much lighter punishment. The defense counsel for Harrison also mentioned that his wife, who is caring for their six children, is battling stage four cancer.
Harrison's stepfather, Robert Shelly Harrison, Jr., pleaded guilty to one felony charge in December. He will be sentenced later this month.