The United States government has recently unveiled an indictment in Nashville, Tennessee, charging nine individuals in connection with a multi-state money laundering organization. This organization is alleged to have laundered millions of dollars derived from internet fraud, including schemes involving business email compromises.
The individuals charged include Samson A. Omoniyi, 43, known by aliases such as Dada and Mr. D; Misha L. Cooper, 50, also known as Misha Brookings and Misha Harris; Robert A. Cooper, 66; Carlesha L. Perry, 36, known by the alias D Man; Whitney D. Bardley, 30; Lauren O. Guidry, 32, known as Mommy; Caira Y. Osby, 44, also known as Solomon Amanti; Dazai S. Harris, 34; and Edward D. Peebles, 35. These individuals are charged with conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
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According to the indictment, the alleged money laundering organization has been operational in Tennessee, Texas, and other locations since approximately November 2016. The conspiracy involved a structured network where recruiters or “herders” enlisted and guided participants, referred to as “money mules,” to launder money obtained from internet frauds targeting businesses and individuals domestically and internationally. The defendants allegedly utilized fake and front companies to conceal the illicit proceeds and benefit the members of the conspiracy. The group is accused of conspiring to launder over $20 million.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division.
If convicted, each defendant could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Nashville Field Office, Salt Lake City Field Office, and Boise Resident Agency, with assistance from the FBI’s Forensic Accountant Support Team.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Carran Daughtrey for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Kenneth Kaplan and Jasmin Salehi Fashami from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
It is important to note that an indictment is only an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Read Original Release
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