UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – Prince George’s County Police have charged four suspects in an elaborate “pigeon drop” scheme that allegedly targeted vulnerable individuals, including an elderly woman who lost nearly $40,000 over two days. The suspects, identified as James Davis (77)of Birmingham, Alabama, Connie Williams (64) of Birmingham, Alabama, Mary Daniel (59)of Antioch, Tennessee, and Kenneth Brandon Gooden (36) of Birmingham, Alabama, are accused of orchestrating a scam that preyed on victims’ trust and emotions, using promises of charitable donations and financial gain to manipulate them into handing over large sums of money.
The incident began on October 21, 2024, when the primary victim was approached outside a store on Marlboro Pike in District Heights by Davis and Daniel, who presented her with a bag filled with what appeared to be cash. They falsely claimed they had found the money and suggested that instead of reporting it to the police, they should donate it to charity. The suspects further manipulated the victim by showing her a note inside the bag that discouraged donating the money to minorities, a tactic used to play on the victim’s biases and emotions.
To make the scam appear legitimate, the suspects told the victim that they needed to exchange the cash for bills with different serial numbers to prevent the money from being traced. Since they claimed they didn’t have a car, the victim offered to drive them to various banks. Over the course of two days, she was instructed to withdraw increasingly large amounts of cash at multiple locations, including PNC branches in Oxon Hill and District Heights, ultimately amounting to approximately $38,000. Each suspect played a specific role, with Davis and Daniel handling the victim during the withdrawals while Gooden and Williams coordinated the logistics.
The following day, the victim became suspicious when the suspects disappeared with the cash, and she subsequently reported the incident to police. Officers immediately began an investigation and used cell phone pings to track the suspects’ location, eventually finding them at a shopping center in Clinton, where they appeared to be approaching another elderly woman.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit conducted surveillance and eventually arrested all four suspects as they attempted to engage another potential victim in a similar scheme. During the arrests, police discovered a white envelope filled with cash made to look like a substantial amount of money but filled predominantly with $1 bills sandwiched between a few $100 bills. They also found various items typically used in “pigeon drop” scams, including multiple bank bags, fake currency, and documentation designed to lend credibility to their story.
Further investigation revealed that each suspect had a criminal history across multiple states, underscoring the organized and methodical nature of the group. James Davis has previous charges in Michigan, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., for crimes ranging from theft by deception, assault, and battery to fraud. Mary Daniel has been involved in similar schemes in Georgia, California, and Texas, with past charges including burglary, theft from the elderly, and grand theft. Connie Williams faces a lengthy criminal record with charges in Virginia, Illinois, and California, including conspiracy, theft by deception, and obstruction. Kenneth Brandon Gooden is wanted on active warrants in Alabama and Ohio, with a history that includes weapons offenses and narcotics charges.
The suspects declined to cooperate with investigators during questioning. However, evidence obtained through a court-ordered search of their vehicle helped corroborate the victim’s account, with Cleveland identifying items that had been used during her interactions with the suspects. The suspects now face multiple felony charges, including theft, conspiracy, and fraud.
Prince George’s County Police urge residents to exercise caution when approached with unsolicited financial propositions, especially those involving “found” money or promises of significant returns. Residents are reminded never to give personal financial information or money to strangers and to immediately report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case or who may have been approached by these individuals is encouraged to contact the Financial Crimes Unit at 301-516-1464.
Four Suspects Arrested For “Pigeon Drop” Scam; Additional Victims Possible
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