CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to schedule a guilty plea hearing for a man accused of setting up a fake prep school that lured more than 20 athletes with the promise of competing for college scholarships.
Media outlets report Daniel Andrew Hicks, 43, of Charleston, is accused of creating the fake West Virginia Prep Academy that attracted two dozen students from around the world in August 2011. The students were discovered living in an unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment.
Hicks had been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of mail fraud and five counts of wire fraud. But Thursday, prosecutors charged Hicks with making a false statement to a federal agent. If Hicks pleads guilty to the false statement charge and the judge accepts it, the other charges would be dismissed
The charge was filed as “information,” which can only be filed with the defendant’s consent. It usually indicates the person is cooperating with authorities.
Court documents accuse Hicks of lying to federal agents when he said he “did not get a dime” from anyone enrolling at the school. But authorities say Hicks knew that was not true because he had received $500 from at least one parent.
In 2011, officials said Hicks set up a website promising to educate students while putting them in better position to compete for football and basketball scholarships. Authorities say Hicks promised three meals a day and spacious living spaces. But officials say Hicks did not provide meals and had more than a dozen students sleeping in an unfurnished apartment with some sleeping on bare mattresses.
Once the scam was revealed, South Charleston officials intervened by providing food and lodging to the students and transporting them back home.
Hicks is the former owner of the West Virginia Wild, an indoor football team based in Huntington. The team was indefinitely suspended from the Continental Football League shortly before the 2009 season.
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