North Carolina man to be sentenced in Internet scheme to sell nonexistent gold bars to another

Man to be sentenced after guilty plea to scheme

PIERRE, S.D. — A North Carolina man could get up to 20 years in prison for what prosecutors label an Internet scheme to sell nonexistent gold bars to a South Dakota man.

Denny Ray Randall pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of mail fraud. The 32-year-old from Mount Airy, N.C., will be sentenced April 5.

Prosecutors said Randall tried to defraud a Hoven, S.D., man by claiming he had gold bars inherited from his great grandfather that were for sale for a down payment of $40,000.

Court documents say Randall provided pictures purportedly showing the gold bars and sent e-mails and tracking labels to mislead the victim into believing the gold had been shipped.