The Indictment Comes Down For Willie D

We noted yesterday that Houston’s own Willie D had finally gotten out of jail, bonding out under an agreement that limited his travel and internet use.

If that was considered good news for the Geto Boys rapper, today brought more bad news — he has been formally indicted on the iPhone scam charges that led to his arrest in May as he stepped off a plane at Bush Intercontinental.

US Attorney Tim Johnson announced the 15-count indictment of Williams James Dennis today. Willie D faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The text of the announcement, after the jump:

William James Dennis, aka Willie D, has been indicted by a
grand jury on 15 counts of wire fraud, United States Attorney Tim
Johnson announced today. A summons setting a date for his arraignment on
the charges is expected to issue in the near future.

Dennis, 42, a rap music recording artist, has been indicted on wire
fraud charges stemming from his purported sales of Apple iPhones through
a company known as Texas One Wireless. Dennis, allegedly posing as an
electronics salesman, used eBay to establish his credibility with
international buyers. Once a buyer showed interest, Dennis directed them
outside of eBay to conduct sales via e-mail, according to the
indictment.

Numerous foreign individuals placed orders for iPhones and
other electronics with Dennis who allegedly required payment be
electronically transferred to his bank account. Once the transaction was
confirmed, tracking numbers for packages that were never shipped were
allegedly sent by Dennis. When the buyers complained about not receiving
their purchases, Dennis, according to the indictment, claimed he had
filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Service or hired carrier and that
he could not refund their money until he knew where his goods were.
Eventually, communications with the victimized parties ceased.

The charges against Dennis are the result of an investigation conducted
by the FBI. Dennis came to the attention of law enforcement when alerted
by victims who did not receive merchandise nor refunds after many
attempts on their behalf to remedy the situation.

Willie D was the lead member of a Houston rap group known as the Geto
Boys. Between 1989 and 1996, they recorded a number of hit songs and had
some albums that reached gold and or platinum status. In early 2005 the
Geto Boys released a reunion album that was written and produced by
Dennis. Dennis founded Relentless Music Ventures in 2006 and signed
groups Nay Nay and Huntzville.

The arrest took place on May 13, 2009, as Dennis returned from a trip
overseas. If convicted, Dennis faces up to 20 years in federal prison
and can be fined up to $250,000. The period of incarceration can be
followed by up to five years supervised release. Restitution to the
victims may also be ordered by the court.

Dennis is currently on bond
pending trial in this case.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri
L. Zack.