On January 8, 2026, following a jury trial, Portier Guytan was found guilty of charges related to a financial scam that targeted an elderly victim in Crossett, Arkansas.
Guytan’s case began on May 15, 2025, when Ashley County Sheriff Tommy Sturgeon learned that the 76-year-old victim had been defrauded by individuals claiming the victim had won a Jamaican lottery worth $11 million. The caller instructed the victim to send $50,000 to claim his winnings. Before authorities intervened, the victim had already sent approximately $30,000, and was preparing to deliver the remaining funds to Guytan during an arranged exchange at Brookshire’s in Crossett.
On May 16, 2025, deputies set up to surveil the exchange. After Guytan accepted a bag containing $27,000 in cash from the victim in exchange for a briefcase purportedly holding the prize money, deputies intercepted Guytan. The briefcase was later found to contain only printer paper. Guytan stated he was originally from Trinidad, but was residing in Massachusetts, when he was paid $3,000 to transport the funds and deliver them to Jamaica, that he placed the copy paper into the briefcase, and that he had been involved in a prior exchange before. Guytan testified he could not name the person whom he was allegedly working for.
The jury recommended Guytan serve 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine. Circuit Judge Robert Gibson III followed the jury’s recommendation. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sandra Bradshaw expressed gratitude to the jury for sending a strong and unmistakable message: criminals in Ashley County will be held accountable for their actions.
This case underscores the commitment of the 10th District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Ashley County Sheriff’s Office to protect vulnerable citizens from financial exploitation. Sheriff Sturgeon reports that these cases are common and difficult to investigate due to the international nature of the scams. Furthermore, individuals who discover that they have been defrauded often do not report these crimes because of embarrassment.
Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain emphasized, “The Jamaican Lottery or Sweepstakes Scam has plagued the United States for more than 15 years. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert about this very type of scam as far back as May 2009. These schemes continue to target vulnerable individuals, and this conviction sends a strong message that such exploitation will not be tolerated.”
Prosecuting Attorney Spain reminds citizens to be vigilant when approached with an offer that sounds too good to be true, as such scams promise victims they will receive a large payment once they have paid the associated taxes or fees to complete the transaction. These fees or taxes will continue until the victim is out of money
The FBI’s Common Elder Fraud Schemes (https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud)
Romance scam: Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites to capitalize on their elderly victims’ desire to find companions.
Tech support scam: Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues. The scammers gain remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information.
Grandparent scam: A type of confidence scam where criminals pose as a relative—usually a child or grandchild—claiming to be in immediate financial need.
Government impersonation scam: Criminals pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute victims unless they agree to provide funds or other payments.
Sweepstakes/charity/lottery scam: Criminals claim to work for legitimate charitable organizations to gain victims’ trust. Or they claim their targets have won a foreign lottery or sweepstake, which they can collect for a “fee.”
Home repair scam: Criminals appear in person and charge homeowners in advance for home improvement services that they never provide.
TV/radio scam: Criminals target potential victims using illegitimate advertisements about legitimate services, such as reverse mortgages or credit repair.
Family/caregiver scam: Relatives or acquaintances of the elderly victims take advantage of them or otherwise get their money.
