Date: 04-14-2023

Case Style:

United States of America v. Karl Hampton

Case Number: 3:21-cr-00109

Judge: Aleta A. Trauger

Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee (Davidson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Nashville

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Nashville, Tennessee criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with twelve felony counts related to a scheme to defraud an elderly widow of over one million dollars.

Karl Hampton, age 65, from Chattanooga, Tennessee and his wife were indicted in 2021 for conspiracy and money laundering and Hampton was also charged with wire and mail fraud.

At trial, the evidence showed that Hampton met the victim while he was working as an exterminator in her home. Between 2018 and 2020, Hampton tricked the victim into believing that he would care for her personally and financially. He held himself out as the victim’s “personal representative,” her “son” or her “godson,” and pretended that he was acting on her behalf.

In April 2019, Hampton convinced the victim to sign over her Power of Attorney and to name him in her Revocable Living Trust and in her will. He then methodically drained the victim’s bank accounts, took out a $500,000 line of credit in her name using her property as collateral, and amassed huge charges on her credit cards for his own personal expenses.

In total, Hampton defrauded the victim of approximately $1.2 million. He used her money to purchase luxury items and often spent over $1,000 per day on lottery tickets. The defendant’s lavish spending using the victim’s money included purchasing a Lexus GX460, a 4.3-karat diamond ring, and a $170,000 interest in a pest control business.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 11, 2023. The defendant’s wife pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in February 2023 and will be sentenced on June 16, 2023.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Booth and Brent Hannafan prosecuted the case.

Indictment 6/21/2021: 18:1343 and 18:2 Wire fraud
(1-4)
Indictment 6/21/2021: 18:1341 and 18:2 Mail fraud
(5-8)
Indictment 6/21/2021: 18:1956(h) Conspiracy to commit money laundering
(9)
Indictment 6/21/2021: 18:1957 and 18:2 Money laundering
(10-12)

Outcome: 04/11/2023 149 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Aleta A. Trauger: Jury Trial (Day 6) as to Karl Hampton held on 4/11/2023. Defendant's case continues. Defendant rests. Instruction conference held. Closing arguments made. Instructions given to the jury. Verdict of guilty to all 12 counts of the Indictment. Government's motion for remand of defendant was denied. Defendant warned to adhere to the conditions of release. Sentencing set for Friday, August 11, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. (Court Reporter Roxann Harkins.) (jb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
04/11/2023 150 EXHIBIT AND WITNESS LIST prepared by Deputy Clerk re 141 Jury Trial as to Karl Hampton held on 4/4/2023. (jb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
04/11/2023 151 Jury Instructions as to Karl Hampton. (jb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
04/11/2023 152 SEALED Jury Note as to Karl Hampton.(jb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
04/11/2023 153 REDACTED JURY VERDICT FORM as to Karl Hampton: Guilty as to Counts 1-12. (JURY FOREPERSON NAME REDACTED). (jb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
04/11/2023 154 SEALED JURY VERDICT FORM as to Karl Hampton. (DOCUMENT CONTAINS JURY FOREPERSON NAME AND IS NOT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE). (jb) (Entered: 04/13/2023)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: