2 indicted in alleged summer job scam that targeted Long Island high school students

FREEPORT (WABC) -- Two men were indicted Thursday on charges that they stole money from Long Island teenagers who had signed up for summer jobs but were never paid for their work.

And that's because the men allegedly took the money for themselves.

The suspects -- 42-year-old Whelton Herron, of Brightwaters, and 32-year-old Amadii Owens, of Wyandanch -- operated a non-profit called the Herron Foundation that was created "for the charitable purpose of aiding students in grades K-12 who reside in impoverished communities."

They reportedly placed more than 100 teens in summer jobs at places like Citi Field, MCU Park and Jones Beach in 2013 and 2014.

Jobs were posted on Craigslist, and kids at Freeport and Brentwood high schools were solicited. They were offered jobs at Aramark concession stands, with similar scams allegedly being run in Houston, Nashville and Chicago.

Herron told Aramark they were a non-profit that wanted to raise money for educational purposes, and they allegedly offered Aramark volunteers to work at the concession stands in exchange for a percentage of the gross receipts from the stands.

Herron told the students they would be paid $9 an hour, even though they told Aramark the kids were volunteers.

Aramark paid Herron over $100,000 over the two years, but when the kids asked where their money was, Herron told them they hadn't received the money from Aramark yet. Bank records show that the defendants used the money for personal purposes, including the purchase a Mercedes Benz, travel and the creation of a golf cart web magazine.

When students requested payment, Owens allegedly called a meeting at the Freeport Library and threatened to fire any student that alerted Aramark employees that they were owed payment by the Herron Foundation. When students persisted, prosecutors said Herron and Owens lied and again told them that Aramark had not yet paid the Herron Foundation and that the workers would be paid when the money was received from Aramark. Some received money orders for $36, a mere fraction of their wages.

In August 2014, when Freeport High School students informed faculty that they had not been paid, or paid for just a small fraction of the hours they worked, administrators contacted Owens and Herron, who promised that once Aramark paid them, the students would be receiving their promised payment.

In total, nearly $30,000 is owed to the Freeport students.

"That these defendants allegedly used a sham charity to pocket funds promised to teenagers who were trying to earn some honest money is despicable," Acting DA Madeline Singas said. "These defendants allegedly took money from a program intended for worthy charities, promised it to kids for their labor, and instead stole from both. I want to thank the Freeport School District for bringing this important case to our attention."

Herron and Owens are were charged with grand larceny, scheme to defraud and conspiracy. The corporation, The Herron Foundation, was also charged with grand larceny and scheme to defraud.

If convicted Herron and Owens face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and the Herron Foundation Inc. faces a fine of up to $20,000.

The investigation is ongoing, and includes allegations of tax fraud and Labor Law violations. Victims are encouraged to contact the Nassau County District Attorney's office at (516) 571-3505.