Enforcement Actions Criminal Civil

Mar 29
2016

Derek A. Nelson: Sentenced, 19 Years

Derek A. Nelson was sentenced to 19 years in prison on March 29, one day after he was convicted of securities fraud in Collin County State District Court. Nelson operated a real-estate investment program that would supposedly buy and renovate distressed properties. Nelson sold approximately $37...
Feb 2
2016

Robert A. Helms, Janniece S. Kaelin: Indicted

Robert Allen Helms and Janniece S. Kaelin were indicted Feb. 2 in U.S. District Court in Austin on conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud charges based on their sales of investments in oil and gas royalties. Helms and Kaelin operated their company as a Ponzi scheme, according to the indictment...
Jan 29
2016

James Dean French: Indicted

James Dean French of Kennedale was indicted Jan. 29 in Harris County State District Court on a charge of securities fraud in connection with the sale of fractionalized interests in an oil well drilling enterprise in Jones County called the Swede Church Development Project. According to the...
Jan 28
2016

Larry Benny Groover: Sentenced, 12 Months and 1 Day

Larry Benny Groover was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison on Jan. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Groover pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity in connection with his...
Jan 15
2016

Rose Marie O'Reilly: Sentenced, 4 Years

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas announced that former Austin resident Rose Marie O’Reilly, 63, of La Grange, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for her role in an estimated $1.4 million Ponzi scheme. United States District Judge Sam Sparks also ordered that O...
Dec 10
2015

Insignia Energy, Benchmark Operating Co: Indictments

A Collin County grand jury on Dec. 10 indicted seven individuals who sold interests in oil and gas well projects in Sabine Parish, La. The indictments collectively charge the defendants with multiple counts of securities fraud, theft, money laundering, and engaging in organized criminal activity...
Nov 19
2015

Robert B. Hahn: Guilty Plea

The office of U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced that Robert B. Hahn of Tyler, a former insurance agent, pleaded guilty Nov. 19 to money laundering and wire fraud in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. He faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing. . .

Oct 29
2015

Michael Anthony Collins: Indicted

Michael Anthony Collins of Alice was indicted Oct. 29 on charges of securities fraud, theft, and money laundering for allegedly stealing at least $5 million from investors who sunk money into his stock-trading operation. . .

Oct 11
2015

Larry David Eckenrode: Indicted

Larry David Eckenrode of McKinney, a three-time felon, was arrested Sept. 29 and faces securities fraud, theft, and money laundering charges related to his sale of investments in a short-term lending program that was allegedly making loans to international fuel businesses. . .
 
Sep 9
2015

Rodney and Roger Wagner: Indicted

Rodney Lee Wagner and Roger Harvey Wagner, who promised investors huge profits through foreign currency trading, were indicted Sept. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on one count each of conspiracy to commit fraud and three counts each of wire fraud. . .