Utah man pleads guilty in West Virginia mortgage scam

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Utah man has admitted his involvement in a multimillion-dollar mortgage scam linked to property in a West Virginia subdivision.

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that 51-year-old Raymond P. Morris of South Weber, Utah, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud.

Court records show Morris and another defendant, Michael Hurd, were involved in a scheme with Deborah L. Joyce of Hurricane. Joyce was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for her role in the sale of property in a Hurricane subdivision at inflated prices.

Morris faces up to 30 years in prison when he's sentenced Oct. 29 in federal court in Charleston.

Hurd is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 10 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He faces up to 60 years in prison.