Lexington man sentenced for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington man is facing prison time for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Kentucky, 27-year-old Ronald Jerome Woolfolk Jr. was sentenced Tuesday to 34 months in prison.

Officials say Woolfolk was employed as a licensed mortician apprentice at a funeral home in Fayette County.

During this time, the attorney’s office says Woolfolk defrauded a charity on or around August 15, 2022 through October 2023 that “financially supported families affected by the tragedy of losing a child,” according to a plea agreement.

Officials say the plea agreement further stated Woolfolk used the funeral home’s email address, submitting 23 requests to the charity seeking financial assistance on behalf of real and fabricated dead individuals and their families.

According to the attorney’s office, the requests had false information and fake documentation to support the requests for funding, including fake invoices for expenses, fake cremation certificates and fabricated letters.

In addition, officials say Woolfolk directed those payments to a fake company he had created.

Overall, officials say of the requests, Woolfolk asked for help for funeral expenses for three real dead babies or toddlers and two young adults.

“Neither the funeral home nor the family members of the deceased knew of Woolfolk’s actions,” the attorney’s office states.

In total, officials say Woolfolk fraudulently gained $11,929.49 from the charity.

Officials say Woolfolk must serve 85% of his prison sentence, and upon release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service.