A Jensen Beach pastor convicted for real estate fraud faces a new felony charge after investigators say he continued to commit crimes while detained at the Martin County Jail.
Authorities arrested Rodney McGill and his wife, Shalonda, in September 2008 on theft and racketeering charges.
The pair has been in jail ever since, but officials say Mr. McGill attempted to perpetrate a new fraud from behind bars.
In a statement released one day after Mr. McGill was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years' probation this month, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said a new victim emerged last December.
Investigators from the Division of Insurance Fraud and the Office of Financial Regulation say Mr. McGill used a third party to make phone calls to a potential investor. He asked the investor to contribute $40,000 toward refinancing a church, and promised a $50,000 repayment within 10 days or less.
"The victim was unaware that McGill was talking to her from the Martin County Jail," Ms. Sink said in a statement.
The incident led to a new charge of grand theft on Sept. 8, the same day Mrs. McGill learned of her 10-year prison term, coupled with a decade of probation.
The pastor and his wife faced up to 60 years in prison on first-degree grand theft and racketeering charges and nine counts of obtaining mortgages by false representation.
Prosecutors say they defrauded Central and South Florida investors of more than $8 million in sham real estate deals.
Court and arrest records claim the pair sold property in Martin and St. Lucie counties using fraudulent documents, while leaving investors to pay $1.15 million in mortgage loans.
It took a jury less than four hours to convict the McGills on July 23, despite defense attorney arguments that the pair did not knowingly defraud property owners.
"The McGills used their position in the community to take advantage of people who trusted them, and now, they are paying the price," Ms. Sink said. "It is also shocking that Pastor McGill would continue his illegal activity from inside jail, and I commend our investigators' continued work to expose this mortgage fraud."
A court date on the new charge had not been set by press time.
To report insurance fraud or provide more information about the McGill case, contact Detective Ted Padich at (561) 837-5635.
