Date: November 5, 2021 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Tallahassee, FL — Brian Brainard Wedgeworth (aka "Dr. Brian Anderson," aka "Dr. Anthony Watkins," aka "Dr. Brian Adams," aka "Dr. Edward Chen," aka "Dr. Brian Chris," aka "Dr. Chris Williamson," aka "Dr. Brian Christopher Williamson," aka "Dr. Brian Edmonds," aka "Dr. Brian Ammerson," aka "Dr. Brian Lamar Wilson," aka "Dr. Brian Wilson," aka "Dr. Brian Mims," aka "Dr. Brian Lamar Sims"), formerly of Tallahassee, Florida, and Center Point, Alabama, was arrested in Tennessee on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the indictment after Wedgeworth made his initial appearance in federal court in Nashville, Tennessee. The indictment alleges that, between October 2016, and March 2021, Wedgeworth devised a scheme to defraud money and property by means of material false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and for the purpose of executing such scheme falsely represented that he was physician in online dating forums to meet women for the purpose of defrauding them. The indictment further alleges that Wedgeworth made promises to the women in order to induce them to send him money and buy him jewelry and watches. Wedgeworth is alleged to have fraudulently obtained more than $750,000 in funds and property as a result of his scheme. Wedgeworth was ordered temporarily detained until a detention hearing and arraignment are held at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and mail fraud counts, up to 10 years in prison for the money laundering counts, and a minimum mandatory sentence of two years in prison, consecutive to any other imprisonment that might be imposed, for the aggravated identity theft count. This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) and the United State Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and work is ongoing to ensure that all potential victims are identified. If you believe that you were in contact with Brian Brainard Wedgeworth, or through one of his aliases, and would like to speak with an investigator, please contact the USPIS by email at Casanovascammer@uspis.gov. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.
