A 39-year-old Chicago man is headed to prison for 11 years after sheriff's investigators say he slipped into virtual court hearings, posed as a defense attorney, and walked away with thousands of dollars from unsuspecting defendants. Ronnie Ross pleaded guilty to continuing a financial criminal enterprise and was ordered to serve his sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections, in a case that puts a harsh spotlight on the risks baked into remote court hearings.
According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) on Facebook, Ross pleaded guilty to one count of continuing a financial criminal enterprise and was sentenced on July 10 at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse to 11 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Investigators say Ross logged into online court calls in September and October 2022, impersonated attorneys, told victims to log off their hearings and call him directly to work out payment, and then collected thousands of dollars. He was indicted on Oct. 8, 2025, on multiple counts, including two counts of continuing a financial criminal enterprise, three counts of theft by deception, three counts of wire fraud, and three counts of false impersonation of an attorney.
How Investigators Say the Scheme Worked
Sheriff's police say Ross joined virtual court calendars, claimed to be defense counsel, and then steered conversations away from the public court call so he could demand money. Prosecutors say he targeted people who did not fully understand court procedures or who did not have lawyers of their own, pitching his services as a shortcut to resolving their cases. Authorities say victims were told to pay for what sounded like a faster fix to their legal problems and ultimately lost thousands of dollars.
Courts Have Warned About Remote-Court Scams
The Circuit Court of Cook County has issued warnings about scams attached to remote court proceedings, stressing that court fines and fees should only be paid through official clerk channels. The Circuit Court of Cook County advises anyone who receives an unexpected request for money tied to a court case to check directly with court staff before sending a payment.
A Federal View on Impersonation Scams
Federal authorities say government-impersonation schemes and similar scams remain a major driver of financial losses, particularly for older adults and other vulnerable people, and they urge the public to report suspected fraud through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI notes that impersonation scams commonly pressure victims to pay quickly using peer-to-peer payment apps or wire transfers, which are notoriously hard to reverse.
Sentence and Legal Notes
State prosecutors had previously indicted Ross, and the Cook County Sheriff's Office post states that the Oct. 8, 2025 indictment outlined theft, fraud, and impersonation charges that ultimately formed the basis of his plea. According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) on Facebook, Ross will be sent to the Illinois Department of Corrections to serve the 11-year term.
Anyone who believes they were victimized in this scheme or has information is asked to contact the Cook County Sheriff's Police. Court users are also urged to confirm who represents them through official court records and to report any suspicious demands for payment to court staff or federal authorities.
