Julia Renae Mullinax, a 43-year-old resident of Batesburg-Leesville, has been sentenced to 13 months in federal prison following her guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case involved fraudulent activities targeting Lowe’s Home Improvement stores.
According to court evidence, Mullinax was part of a scheme that defrauded Lowe’s by purchasing items using commercial credit accounts of local businesses while pretending to be the authorized representative. This fraudulent activity took place across multiple Lowe’s locations in South Carolina and other southeastern states from 2023 to 2024.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. delivered the sentence, which includes a three-year term of court-ordered supervision after imprisonment. Mullinax is also required to pay $47,234.10 in restitution to Lowe’s. It should be noted that there is no parole available in the federal system.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is handling the prosecution of this case.