A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty to running an adoption scam where she pretended to be pregnant and accepted money and gifts from prospective parents. Roxanne Janel Jones, 35, admitted contacting adoption agencies and claiming to be carrying twins. She said she contacted agencies, who put her in touch with 14 couples. She said she asked those couples to pay her rent and other living expenses. The couples that Jones swindled were from across the Kansas City metropolitan area, as well as five other states.
Her co-defendant, Taj A. Isaiah, previously pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. Isaiah posed as landlord and picked up money orders and wire transfers for Jones. Jones pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Jones faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison and up to $1 million in fines. She and Isaiah are scheduled to be sentenced March 12.