Attorney General Todd Rokita, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has announced the sentencing of James Henley, a serial fraudster from Indianapolis. Henley was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,887,426.63 in restitution after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, two counts of money laundering, and eight counts of wire fraud. He will also serve three years of supervised release.
According to investigators, Henley told federal agents he was partly inspired by a crime television show to carry out his fraudulent activities. The Indiana Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Unit (HPU) worked alongside federal authorities throughout the investigation.
“Our attorneys and federal investigators made sure this man was prosecuted for these flagrant and insidious criminal acts against regular Hoosiers,” said Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. “I’m certainly proud of everyone who works in our own Homeowner Protection Unit for their role in helping bring this blatant perpetrator of fraud and theft to justice. We will continue holding accountable all those who aim to enrich themselves by illegally deceiving and exploiting innocent victims.”
Henley created five fake businesses—OnTrack Real Estate Solutions, LDI Investments Corp, Lucario Investments, 317 Traffic, and Henley Real Estate Solutions—registering them with Indiana and Kentucky state agencies while claiming the title of Chief Executive Officer for most. These entities were used as fronts for various schemes that resulted in losses totaling nearly $2.93 million affecting homeowners, an attorney, a bank, and multiple state governments.
The fraudulent activities included several schemes:
– COVID-19 Fraud: Between May 2020 and March 2021, Henley collaborated with his wife Jameka Henley and associate Jimmie Bickers using stolen identities from 76 individuals to submit 120 unemployment insurance applications across ten states during the pandemic. They obtained $1.12 million in benefits using 65 debit cards at retailers and ATMs around Evansville and Indianapolis. In July 2020 alone, funds withdrawn from ATMs were used by Henley to purchase a Chevrolet Camaro for over $22,000.
– Home Title Fraud: From December 2021 through May 2023, Henley filed false deeds on five Indianapolis homes via the Marion County Recorder’s Office without any contact with homeowners; he then sold these properties below market value for profits exceeding $260,000.
– Mortgage Fraud: In one case involving a home bought by an associate using a mortgage loan from a bank in November 2021, Henley filed documents making it appear as if the loan had been paid off before selling the property jointly with his associate for $255,000—keeping all proceeds rather than paying back the lender.
– Auto Loan Fraud: In March 2023 he purchased vehicles including a Dodge Durango ($71,479) and later a Chevrolet Silverado ($54,270), both financed through Everwise Credit Union loans. By October that year he linked payments on these loans to an attorney’s Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) at JPMorgan Chase without authorization; two payments totaling $98,000 were made from this account.
Both Jameka Henley and Jimmie Bickers have been charged but not pleaded guilty regarding their roles in these crimes.
Attorney General Rokita acknowledged HPU Investigator Lynn Wilkins’ contributions: “I would also like to thank HPU Investigator Lynn Wilkins for her respective role in assisting the FBI in uncovering the deed fraud,” he said. “We are lucky to have public servants like her working every day to ensure that our office does everything that we can to protect Hoosiers.”
The Attorney General’s Office highlighted its ongoing commitment through its Homeowner Protection Unit—which investigates deceptive practices related to mortgage lending—and encouraged residents with consumer complaints or concerns about housing or financial scams to contact indianaconsumer.com or call 1-800-382-5516.
The HPU aims at safeguarding tenants’, homeowners’, and prospective buyers’ rights within Indiana’s housing market by addressing violations connected with mortgage lending under both state and federal law.
