COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) -- A Pendleton man was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for operating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme and stalking two TikTok creators.

According to the SEC, Michael J. French sold more than $20 million in high-yield promissory notes to over 400 investors across the country.

The 42-year-old was the owner of investment companies MJF Holdings, LLC and MJF Capital, LLC.

Beginning in March 2019, the SEC said French falsely told investors the notes – which promised 12% returns for a one-year investment -- were backed by a low-risk investment program, under which the note proceeds would be loaned to small businesses and/or invested in commercial loans on a fractional basis to produce returns.

French also reportedly stated that investor funds would provide loan

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