Arthur Cofield’s name has grown in infamy over the past few days following reports that he ran an $11 million fraud scheme while incarcerated and then escaped from a minimum-security prison in Georgia. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now working alongside the U.S. Marshals Service to locate Cofield and has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
According to CBS, Cofield was initially serving a prison sentence for armed robbery in Butts County. In 2020, Fulton County prosecutors added attempted murder charges for a separate offense. While serving time for those crimes, Cofield reportedly gained access to a contraband cellphone behind bars.
The multi-million dollar fraud scheme
Authorities say that he used the device to carry out identity fraud schemes against unsuspecting victims. The report states that he first gained access to the account of a Charles Schwab client identified only as “S.K.” As of now, the victim’s identity remains protected, but investigators say S.K. became the starting point of Cofield’s scheme.
Cofield is believed to have worked with a co-conspirator who provided him with a photograph of S.K.’s driver’s license. Using that information, authorities say Cofield opened a checking account in the victim’s name. From there, he allegedly gained access to additional accounts and eventually wired $11 million from S.K.’s funds to a precious metals dealer in Idaho.
The money was reportedly used to purchase 6,016 American Gold Eagle coins. Investigators believe Cofield then arranged for a private security company to transport the precious metals from Idaho to Atlanta. Some of the proceeds were allegedly used to purchase property near West Paces Ferry.
For his role in the scheme, Cofield was ultimately convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud. The court also ordered him to pay restitution to the victim. He was then sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison and transferred to a minimum-security facility.
He’s believed to be armed and dangerous
On May 26, 2026, prison officials discovered that Cofield was missing from the facility. When the FBI requested public assistance in locating him, the agency accompanied the appeal with a warning: “He is considered armed and dangerous. He has ties to metro Atlanta but could have travelled anywhere since his escape.”
According to WTOC, residents of Jesup were surprised by the news. One resident said, “Been living here for 24 years now and it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of someone escaping from up there.” It is not just the FBI and the U.S. Marshals leading the search. Reports indicate that the Bureau of Prisons is also actively searching for Cofield while investigating the circumstances surrounding his escape.
The FBI has asked anyone with information about Cofield’s whereabouts to call its tip line at 1-800-225-5324. The U.S. Marshals Service has also provided a tip line at 1-877-926-8332. Both agencies are encouraging the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating the escaped inmate.
Published: Jun 5, 2026 02:32 pm