Atlanta Woman Pleads Guilty in Missouri Law Enforcement Impersonation Scam

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A woman from the Atlanta area admitted last week to helping scammers pose as law enforcement officers to steal thousands of dollars from victims.

Federal prosecutors say 33-year-old Ariel Burden pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of wire fraud. Burden, using the name “Jennifer Davis,” met victims in person to collect fraudulent bond payments after phone scammers convinced them they faced arrest for missing court dates.

In one case, a Jefferson County victim was tricked into paying Burden $12,000 outside Crystal City Hall in February 2024. Burden provided a fake receipt with bogus citation numbers. In total, prosecutors say Burden defrauded three victims in Missouri and Kansas of $28,000.

She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced on January 14, 2026. Burden must also repay the stolen money.