10-year sentence in Mo. sweepstakes scam case

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Florida man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a sweepstakes scam that cost an elderly Perryville couple more than $250,000.

Patrick Percival Wilson pleaded guilty to two felony counts of exploitation of the elderly, one count of stealing by deceit and one count of unlawful merchandising practices.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster was appointed special prosecutor in the Perry County case with assistance from local prosecutor Thomas Hoeh.

An elderly couple from Perryville told authorities they were was scammed into believing they won a sweepstakes of $85 million. They were contacted by telephone and told they had won a $10 million sweepstakes.

Later, the couple received fliers in the mail announcing the prize. The different fliers purported to be from the NBC television network, the Federal Reserve, the United States Treasury and Senator John McCain. Over time, the supposed prize grew to $85 million with the lure of a "bonus prize" of an SUV.

Wilson, 48, and his colleagues convinced the couple to send money to pay taxes and fees for their winnings, including storage fees for the vehicle.

Wilson told authorities he received at least $67,000 of the money. The rest was sent to Jamaica.

"This sentence sends a powerful message to those who would scheme to steal the hard-earned retirement savings of Missouri seniors," Koster said in a prepared statement Thursday. "We will aggressively track down the perpetrators of these scams, including reaching across state lines, to protect Missourians."

Wilson, just days before he pleaded guilty, was one of six people injured when an ambulance taking him to St. Louis was struck by a vehicle that ventured into the ambulance's lane.

All of those in the ambulance, including a Perry County sheriff's deputy, sustained minor injuries. Wilson was being transported to St. Louis for treatment for an injured ankle. After a few days in St. Louis, he was returned to the Perry County Jail.

Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO