District court judge sentenced Chandler man to almost three years in prison

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A United States district judge sentenced a Chandler man to serve three years in prison.

According to a press release, the sentencing was a result of the jury finding the defendant, 68-year-old Jeffery McHatton, guilty on ten counts of Securities Fraud.

Not only that, McHatton's accomplices are serving time in prison as well:

• 60-year-old Robert Sproat of Mesa is serving 2.5 years in prison
• 56-year-old Robert Moss, prior to trial, plead guilty for his involvement and is also serving 2.5 years in prison

In any case, the sentencing was a result of the McHatton and his accomplices using a religious charitable organization as a front to entice victims to invest over $1.2 million.

This occurred in between 2012 and 2014, and the majority of their victims were the elderly.

Furthermore, the three men fraudulently promoted investments in the recovery of rare gems and elements from Central America, the Philippines and Africa.

However, the gems and elements, like diamonds and gold, were never produced.

While the men used the funds for personal use, their victims never received a return on their investments.

Eventually, the FBI and the Arizona Corporation Commission conducted the investigation, leading to the three men's arrest.