Burnet County deputies, FBI add more charges in Meadowlakes swindling case
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — A multi-department investigation including local and federal agencies led to the arrest of a man who allegedly used illegally obtained personal information to make financial wire transfers.Authorities first arrested Carl Wilson Gammon, 59, on June 14 after Burnet County investigators charged him with allegedly possessing and using a 92-year-old Meadowlakes widow’s identification and personal information to open several loans without her knowledge. But that may have been only the tip of the iceberg as investigators filed additional charges on the man June 20 on similar offenses.
According to a Burnet County Sheriff’s Office press release, the BCSO Special Operations Unit investigated Gammon along with assistance from the FBI Financial Crimes Division, United States Postal Inspectors Office, Cedar Park Police Department and the Burnet County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office which revealed the depth of the man’s alleged deeds.
In arrest warrant affidavits compiled by BCSO investigator William Fritsch and signed by Burnet County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Ed Cutchin, authorities believe the suspect’s activities went well beyond the one alleged victim. One of the affidavits signed June 20 stated the man allegedly had personal identifying information from another 19 people including at least one listed as deceased.
That information included names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, dates of birth and credit card information, the affidavit stated.
Authorities also believe the man used information from the 92-year-old widow to secure several small loans as well as “to continuously wire monies to numerous persons in Nigeria, Africa via Western Union,” according to a second arrest warrant affidavit signed June 20.
Gammon was already being held in the Burnet County Jail on fraudulent use or possession of identifying information-elderly, a third-degree felony in regard to the June 14 arrest. Authorities tacked on exploitation of child, elderly or disabled person, a third-degree felony, and fraudulent use/possession of identifying information of more than 10 items but less than 50 items, a second-degree felony.
Burnet County Sheriff W.T. Smith asked that anybody else who believes their personal information may have been compromised by the suspect to contact the sheriff’s office at (512) 756-8080.
“The investigation continues in multiple jurisdictions and additional charges may be field on Gammon and any others who assisted him in perpetrating these offenses,” the BCSO press release stated.
As of June 24, Gammon was being held in the Burnet County Jail in lieu of $360,000 in bonds.
daniel@thepicayune.com