The FBI launched a billboard campaign Wednesday to track down a Lutherville man who is wanted in an alleged $50 million mail fraud scheme.
Brian Keith Wallen, 52, is one of two men named in a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday. The June indictment alleges that Wallen was the CEO of companies that shipped unwanted items such as light bulbs and cleaning supplies to businesses at exorbitant prices.
The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Wallen. Billboards went up Wednesday along the I-95 corridor, from Baltimore to Miami, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Scott Hinckley of the FBI's Baltimore office.
Investigators believe Wallen has business contacts in Florida, he said.
Wallen was reported missing to Baltimore County police in April. Officers found a suicide note at his home on Wyngate Road, and his locked silver Jeep at the Loch Raven Reservoir.
But investigators do not believe Wallen killed himself.
"We believe he's alive and well, and just evading law enforcement," Hinckley said.
Federal prosecutors allege that between 2007 and 2014, thousands of companies and non-profit organizations around the country were victimized. They say they were cheated out of $50 million.
Also named in the indictment is Andrew Stafford, 56, of Bel Air. He was arrested Wednesday morning, Hinckley said. Both Wallen and Stafford face charges of mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Stafford does not have a lawyer listed in federal court records for the case. The indictment alleges he conspired with Wallen and served as president of the company that sent the unwanted supplies to businesses.
Six people have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in the case, and are awaiting sentencing.
They are: Robert Chesser, 46, of Dundalk; Brandon Johnston, 38, of Catonsville; Alan Landsman, 36, of York, Pa.; Steven Phillips, 64, of Pikesville; Brandon Riggs, 34, of Baltimore; and Thomas Wishon, 54, of Cockeysville.
The guilty pleas were unsealed Wednesday.
Anyone with information concerning Wallen's whereabouts can call the Baltimore office of the FBI at 410-265-8080.
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