"I think the judge really took that to heart the victims' statements. The letters that were not shared in open court were very passionate about the hardships people suffered over time," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Carrig.
So far, 62 victims have come forward, defrauded of nearly six million dollars.
Retireee Duane Briggs of Marlton, New Jersey, told the judge he lost more than $100,000 in Richards' Ponzi scheme, and said the sentence was correct.
"The man was, obviously, a sociopathic criminal, like I said in court. So, we're happy," Briggs said.
Richards' "All Freight Logistics" operated out of an Audobon, New Jersey store front with little more than a computer and file cabinets.
David DiPasquale says a $25,000 investment was to return $44,000 in four months.
"At the end of the day, he stole $130,000 from me, and changed my life in every way, shape and form," DiPasquale said.
Richards plead guilty last June but fled to Florida while on bail.
In court Tuesday he apologized, saying "I have so much remorse, I don't know where to start. I should have stopped, but I couldn't, and I take responsibility for that."
The government called Richards a career criminal who has committed eight crimes of fraud and even served four years for theft by deception in the late 1990's.
The judge called him a conman, and said he will always be one.
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