Arrest warrants were issued for Irma Michelle Jackson-Stewart, 38, and James Stewart, 51, both of whom are believed to be in Central Florida. They are wanted for running a nationwide grant-writing scam that fleeced over $300,000 from victims seeking federal funds for personal and business expenses according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
The victims of IM Credit Solutions & Grant Writer charged up to $500 to prepare grant proposals, however no grant proposals were ever written. In a video released by the FDLE, Jackson-Stewart is seen promising a congregation how everyone who applies for a federal stimulus grant that does not have to be re-paid would receive a check for as much as $55,000 within six to nine months.
An accomplice, Carlton Smith, 52, of Orlando, was arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering, according to FDLE.
Jackson-Stewart, a convicted felon, served time in prison for fraud. Her preferred targets were black churches and people of faith according to authorities. Her husband, James Stewart, is a former Orange County corrections officer who resigned last year.
A video released by FDLE of Jackson-Stewart pitching her services shows her telling a church congregation how everyone who applies for a federal stimulus grant that does not have to be re-paid would receive a
check for as much as $55,000 within six to nine months. She also told the congregation, “If I’m a scam then God is a liar.”
I’m not here to scam anybody – just help,” she said. Jackson-Stewart claimed she was the only person in Florida authorized by the government to write the grant proposals.
Anyone with information about the location of Jackson-Stewart and Stewart is asked to call FDLE Special Agent Luis Negrete at 407-245-0801. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
It is amazing that Jackson-Stewart’s YouTube video went live on August 6th, just a few weeks before a warrant was issued for her arrest.
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