KEARNEY, Nebraska — Jeffery S. Sikes, formerly of Kearney, Nebraska, was sentenced to more than 25 years in prison for fraud and conspiracy to set fire to Walmart stores in Alabama.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Sikes defrauded multiple victims of over $819,000 through various fraudulent schemes, including convincing companies to fund nonexistent projects. After fleeing Nebraska and living under an alias, Sikes was arrested in Alabama, where he was also involved in fires at Walmart stores.

As part of the scheme to which Sikes pleaded guilty, he contacted B & J Partnership, d/b/a Speedway Properties (“B & J”), as “consultant” for Vanguard Nebraska, a limited liability company (“Vanguard”). He contacted B & J to enter into a lease for commercial property owned by B & J in Lincoln, Nebraska. Sikes represented to B & J that Vanguard intended to establish laboratory space in Lincoln for research and development purposes.

Sikes proposed that B&J provide $750,000 for the build-out of the commercial space owned by B&J. To persuade B&J to enter into the lease and finance the building, he submitted complex forged documents, including falsified IRS financial statements and tax forms, falsified statements regarding alleged subcontractors responsible for the construction, and falsified invoices from said subcontractors for work performed or materials related to the cost of construction for the property.

“Jeffery S. Sikes’ fraudulent schemes have had devastating financial consequences for his victims in Nebraska,” said Eugene Kowel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Omaha office, in a statement. “His attempt to escape the consequences of his crimes was futile. No matter how long it takes, the FBI works with our federal, state and local partners to bring criminals to justice.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has investigated this case.