Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Missouri

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Former President of St. Louis Law Enforcement Officer Association Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

St. Louis, MO – Darren Randal Wilson pled guilty to nine counts of wire fraud involving his misappropriation of over $80,000 from the Ethical Society of Police, an association of black St. Louis police officers.

According to court documents, Wilson was president of the Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) in 2013 and 2014.  As president of ESOP, Wilson had access to funds in the ESOP bank account, which consisted primarily of the monthly dues contributed by the police officer members of ESOP.

Between July 2013 and December 2014, Wilson engaged in a fraud scheme to misappropriate money from the ESOP bank account and to use the money for his own purposes, including funding his business promoting comedy shows featuring nationally known comedians at local night clubs.  To further the fraud scheme, Wilson transmitted some of the misappropriated money by Fed Wire, PayPal and Western Union wire transfers.  To conceal his fraudulent activity, Wilson presented false information to ESOP officers and members.  In April 2014, Wilson was indicted on nine felony counts of wire fraud associated with the fraud scheme.

Wilson, St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Judge Henry Edward Autrey and pled guilty to all nine counts of wire fraud.  As part of the guilty plea, Wilson acknowledged that he abused his position of public and private trust.  He agreed to a money judgment against him of $80,934, to account for the losses to ESOP associated with the fraud scheme.  He also agreed to surrender his law enforcement certification and to no longer work or seek employment as a law enforcement officer.  Sentencing has been set for December 12, 2016.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges substantially lower than the statutory maximum.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Cristian M. Stevens is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.