United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that HENRY RAYFORD PRIVETTE, JR., 49, of Johns Island, South Carolina, made his initial appearance, yesterday, January 2, 2008, in Charleston, South Carolina, on a grand jury indictment returned on November 28, 2007, in the Eastern District of North Carolina, charging multiple counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. In the ten count indictment, it is alleged that PRIVETTE, doing business as Carolina Furniture, operated an Internet-based furniture business in Calabash, North Carolina between 2000 and late 2003, taking orders from customers over the telephone and requiring deposits, then promising to order furniture but failing to deliver the furniture or provide a refund. PRIVETTE faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count. PRIVETTE's initial appearance in this District is tentatively scheduled for January 17, 2008.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The case was investigated by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Thom B. Murphy is prosecution for the government.

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