Financial Fraud Case Results in Conviction and Active Warrant for Second Suspect
BURNSVILLE and EAGAN, MINNESOTA - Amen Jerome Peoples has been convicted and sentenced for involvement in two financial transaction card fraud incidents in Dakota County, Minnesota. Meanwhile, co-defendant Shahon Jamari Madison’s case remains dormant, and she is currently the subject of an active warrant issued on January 30, 2024. These cases highlight a pattern of deceptive tactics used to exploit victims' trust for financial gain.
Incident #1: Fraudulent Transactions in Burnsville
On March 25, 2023, a victim reported being approached by Peoples and Madison outside a Burnsville restaurant. Claiming car troubles, Peoples and Madison asked for assistance and requested a ride to the Mall of America. The victim, displaying kindness, agreed and allowed Peoples to use her cell phone while she went inside the restaurant to pick up her food order. Unbeknownst to the victim, Peoples used the phone to access her financial apps. The following day, the victim noticed two unauthorized transactions on her Venmo account, totaling $300, sent to Madison. Additionally, a $230 PayPal transfer had been made to an email address linked to Madison. The fraudulent activity totaled $530. Authorities were able to trace the transactions and identified Peoples and Madison as suspects through the linked accounts.
Incident #2: Attempted Fraud in Eagan
A second incident on October 18, 2023, revealed similar tactics. Peoples approached a male victim outside his residence in Eagan, claiming his phone was dead and requesting a ride to Minneapolis. During the drive, Peoples borrowed the victim’s phone under the pretense of making calls to friends for help. While Peoples used the phone for approximately five minutes, the victim noticed nothing unusual at first. However, upon returning home, the victim discovered that his phone’s password had been changed. Further investigation revealed a $700 unauthorized PayPal payment to an account associated with "Shanon Madison." Peoples and Madison were identified through their known association and similar past offenses. The victim’s quick response in changing account credentials prevented additional losses.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Amen Jerome Peoples was charged under Minnesota Statute 609.821.2(1) for financial transaction card fraud involving amounts exceeding $250 but less than $2,500. On December 16, 2024, he was convicted and sentenced to 18 months at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. He received credit for 249 days already served. As part of a plea agreement, charges related to the second incident were dismissed. His sentence will run concurrently with multiple other convictions for similar offenses.
Peoples’ other convictions include:
June 22, 2022: Convicted of fifth-degree drug possession under Minnesota Statute 152.025.2(1), involving 10.17 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 21 months in the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, with 187 days credited for time served.
July 9, 2024: Convicted of threats of violence under Minnesota Statute 609.713.1. Peoples was sentenced to 23 months in St. Cloud with 100 days credited for time served. This case involved reckless disregard for public safety.
September 5, 2023: Convicted of identity theft under Minnesota Statute 609.527.2 for using another person’s identity. Peoples was sentenced to 21 months in St. Cloud with 193 days credited for time served.
October 16, 2024: Convicted of theft by swindle under Minnesota Statute 609.52.2(a)(4) for property valued between $1,001 and $5,000. He was sentenced to 19 months in St. Cloud with 216 days credited for time served.
Shahon Jamari Madison has not yet been tried for her role in the March 2023 incident. Court records show that her case is currently dormant, and an active warrant for her arrest was issued on January 30, 2024. Court records detail Madison has a history of thefts and assaults.
