Last Updated on November 8, 2025 7:30 pm
Ashe County, NC – Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the conviction and plea agreement in a federal criminal case following an extensive, multi-year investigation stemming from fraudulent lease negotiations presented to Ashe County citizens. The investigation began after community members came forward with critical information, ultimately leading to a guilty plea entered in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Sheriff B. Phil Howell expressed his sincere gratitude to the residents of Ashe County for their continued trust in our office, cooperation, and support throughout the investigation.
“For years, members of our community have brought forward information that helped us connect the dots in this case,” said Sheriff Howell. “Their willingness to come forward and trust our office made all the difference. We're proud to live in a county where people still believe in doing what's right and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement.”
Sheriff Howell and Chief Deputy Houck were present in the United States District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 24th, where Alexander Francis Blasscyk of Windermere, Florida, appeared and pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge.
The Factual Basis File Docket No. 5:25-cr-00042-KDB states the following:
- From in or around October 2018 through at least February 2024, BLASSCYK engaged in a scheme and artifice to defraud victims by making a series of false and fraudulent representations and deceptive half-truths of material fact, and concealing material information.
- In furtherance of the scheme to defraud, BLASSCYK, directly and indirectly, solicited victims to enroll in BLASSCYK's cell phone tower consulting services.
- In furtherance of the scheme to defraud, BLASSCYK provided false and fraudulent documents to victims on behalf of Main Stream Telecom, Organic Telecommunications, cell phone tower companies, and cell phone carriers, purporting to set out the terms of the consulting services, lease agreements, and payment schedules. BLASSCYK generally provided these documents to victims electronically. BLASSCYK ‘s documents were designed to trick victims into believing that BLASSCYK was providing legitimate cell phone tower consulting services, and that cell phone tower companies or cell phone providers would make payments to the victims.
- As part of BLASSCYK'S scheme, hundreds of victims suffered losses of approximately $816,460.29.
Sheriff Howell also commended the hard work and professionalism of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel who handled the case. “We quickly realized this investigation was much larger than our county and extended far beyond our borders into other states,” said Sheriff Howell. “Our primary role in Ashe County was collecting materials and interviewing the victims. From there, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI took the lead and carried out the majority of the work.”
Sheriff Howell also praised his own staff, adding, “Our patrol deputies and detectives did an outstanding job interviewing citizens, following up on leads, and gathering vital evidence. Their attention to detail and commitment to justice reflect the very best of what our office stands for.”
The Ashe County Sheriff's Office remains firmly committed to combating illegal activity and maintaining strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies. We can't do everything ourselves, but it's a tremendous advantage to have the resources and cooperation of our partner agencies.
At sentencing, BLASSCYK faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge. A sentencing date has not been set.
