United States of America v. Terry Pierce

Wheeling, West Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

Reported by Kent Morlan

Terry Pierce, 48, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was involvement in a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme. BEC schemes are a sophisticated form of fraud in which perpetrators compromise legitimate business or personal email accounts. These schemes often result in unauthorized transfers of funds and significant financial losses for both organizations and individuals.

RED was targeted in October 2024. An unknown person sent a message to RED, using a compromised email address, requesting payment for solar panels installed on the former Horne’s Department Store building in Wheeling. The person then provided Pierce’s checking account routing number to receive the payment, totaling $30,750. Two days later, Pierce received the funds, transferred them into another account he controlled, and depleted the balance.

The investigation further revealed Pierce’s involvement in additional fraudulent activity resulting in approximately $220,000 in actual or intended loss.

The Defendant elected to plead guilty and faces 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.