Two men sentenced in Savannah port trucking fraud scheme

The scheme involved fake transportation invoices over a 3-year period.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled freight invoice or shipping label, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A harsh flash-lit close-up of a fraudulent freight invoice exposes the underbelly of the port trucking industry.Sylvania Today

Two men, Philip Smith and Antonio Evans, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fraud scheme involving fake transportation invoices related to the Port of Savannah. Smith was an employee at a logistics and transportation company that served the port, while Evans owned a local trucking company. From July 2021 to August 2024, Smith created fake freight-hauling jobs that he assigned to Evans, who would then receive payment from the company for work that did not actually exist, with Smith receiving a portion of the funds.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of fraud and abuse within the transportation and logistics industry, particularly around major ports and freight hubs. The scheme resulted in significant financial losses for the company involved, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures in the sector.

The details

According to court documents, Smith created the fake freight-hauling jobs and assigned them to Evans, who would then bill the logistics company for the non-existent work. The company would unwittingly pay Evans, who would then kick back a portion of the funds to Smith. The total amount of the company's loss from the three-year scheme was $821,899.

  • The fraud scheme took place from July 2021 to August 2024.

The players

Philip Smith

An employee at a logistics and transportation company that served the Port of Savannah, who created the fake freight-hauling jobs and assigned them to Evans.

Antonio Evans

The owner of a local trucking company, who received payment from the logistics company for the fake freight-hauling jobs created by Smith.

U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood

The judge who sentenced Smith and Evans and ordered them to pay $821,899 in restitution.

U.S. Attorney Margaret Heap

The U.S. Attorney who commented on the case, stating that Smith betrayed the trust of his employer to line his own pockets with Evans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Philip Smith betrayed the trust of his employer in order to funnel fake work to Antonio Evans so the two of them could line their pockets, and they're now being held accountable for their dishonesty.'”

— U.S. Attorney Margaret Heap

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of fraud and abuse within the transportation and logistics industry, particularly around major ports and freight hubs. It underscores the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to prevent such schemes from occurring and to protect companies from significant financial losses.