A Stowe man, who authorities say admitted to starting at least eight fires, will be released from federal custody in mid-June so he can seek proper mental health and substance
Texan pleads guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering
staff reports
A Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal violations related to drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas recently. Roberto Fuentes, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn.
“Money laundering is a key part of hiding evidence of criminal activity such as illegal narcotics distribution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “When we disrupt a drug trafficking organization’s ability to profit from their illegal conduct, we are helping prevent dangerous, addictive substances from being distributed in East Texas. I continue to be grateful for the great work and dedication of the DEA and their efforts to combat all aspects of the illegal drug trade.”
$3M PPP loans could get Texas man 20 years in fed prison
Eastern District of Texas
A Texas man pleaded guilty this week to filing fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $3 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court documents, Fahad Shah, 44, admitted that he sought over $3 million in PPP loans from two different SBA-approved lenders. In the first application submitted to one lender, Shah sought over $1.7 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming that his company, WBF Weddings by Farah Inc. (WBF), employed 126 individuals with an average monthly payroll of over $700,000. In the second application, Shah sought over $1.5 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming that WBF had 126 employees with an average monthly payroll of over $600,000. According to court documents, WBF had only two employe