Living dataset · The money law
The Texas Bitcoin Case Tracker
Every federal money-transmission and crypto prosecution announced in Texas's four federal districts, extracted from the public DOJ record and rebuilt nightly. Where the law timeline tracks what the law says, this page tracks how it gets enforced.
By TexasBitcoin · Published July 24, 2026 · Updated Aug 18, 2026
The short answer
Federal prosecutors in Texas have announced 152 cryptocurrency and money-transmission prosecutions since 2013, with $255.3M in announced forfeitures across all four federal districts. The Northern District of Texas leads in volume. Every case below is sourced to its original Department of Justice press release.
Key facts
- The dataset tracks 152 federal prosecutions in Texas districts, from 2013 through Aug 13, 2026, each linked to its DOJ press release.
- Announced forfeitures across tracked cases total $255.3M; the largest single case is “911 S5 Botnet Dismantled and Its Administrator Arrested in Coordinated International Operation” at $129M.
- The Northern District of Texas accounts for 55 tracked cases — the most of the four Texas federal districts.
- Case data regenerates nightly from the Department of Justice's public press-release archive; this build reflects data generated Aug 18, 2026.
The tracked cases
152 of 152 cases shown · newest first
Number one dark web dealer of Oxycodone sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison
Aug 13, 2026Northern TexasU.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced today that Samad Hamid Castro, 41, from New Jersey, was sentenced to 164 months in prison for the illicit distribution of Oxycodone to the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere. Castro pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance on April 1.
Forfeiture: $710K · DOJ press release
Final Defendant Sentenced to Prison in Multimillion Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme
Jun 2, 2026Northern TexasA fourth family member was sentenced to 90 months in prison on May 28 following a jury trial that resulted in convictions of four men for a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme.
A 34-year-old foreign national who resided in Houston has pleaded guilty to illegal money transmission
Justin Ryan Schmidt, a Cayman national who renounced his U.S. citizenship, pleaded guilty to evading payment of more than $1.5 million of federal income tax liabilities
Drug trafficking leader gets 20 years in Homeland Security Task Force effort
Apr 3, 2026Southern TexasA 33-year-old Houston man has been sentenced for his role in the distribution of multiple narcotics
Three Men Sentenced to Prison in Multimillion Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme
Mar 27, 2026Northern TexasThree family members were sentenced today to prison following a jury trial that resulted in convictions for their roles in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme.
Three Men Sentenced to Prison in Multimillion Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme
Mar 26, 2026Northern TexasThree family members were sentenced today to prison following a jury trial that resulted in convictions for their roles in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme.
Armenian Man Extradited to U.S. Faces Charges for Role in Infostealing Malware Scheme
Mar 25, 2026Western TexasHambardzum Minasyan was extradited to the U.S. where he faces criminal charges related to his alleged role in an infostealer scheme
Nigerian citizen sentenced for his role in a multimillion-dollar wire fraud scheme
Mar 24, 2026Southern TexasA 26-year-old man who was in the United States on a Green Card has been sentenced for laundering fraud proceeds through an unlicensed money transmitting business
Waxahachie Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for $1.7M SIM Card Swapping Fraud Scheme
Feb 27, 2026Northern TexasA Waxahachie man who coordinated a SIM card-swapping fraud scheme was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison.
An indictment was unsealed today in the Western District of Texas charging a Cayman national who renounced his U.S. citizenship with tax evasion, filing false returns and willfully failing to file tax forms disclosing foreign assets.
A Chinese national has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a scheme to launder the proceeds of cryptocurrency investment scams and other fraudulent schemes involving millions of dollars in victim funds, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Forfeiture: $2.3M · DOJ press release
Start spreading the news: New York-licensed attorney and accomplice sentenced in large-scale interstate email scam scheme
Feb 9, 2026Southern TexasA man and woman have been ordered to federal prison for their respective roles in an identity theft and business email compromise (BEC) scam
SDTX recovers nearly $150 million for victims and the American taxpayer in 2025
Feb 2, 2026Southern TexasA total of $148,149,674.47 has been collected in combined criminal, civil and asset forfeiture actions in calendar year 2025
Forfeiture: $45.6M · DOJ press release
37 Mexican Nationals Wanted for Serious Crimes Transferred to the United States from Mexico, Including Leaders of Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Jan 21, 2026Southern TexasThe United States announced today that yesterday evening it took into custody 37 fugitives from Mexico facing a range of federal criminal charges around the country, including charges relating to narcoterrorism, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, firearms trafficking, human smuggling, money laundering, and various drug trafficking offenses, including conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Alleged ISIS Sympathizer Who Attempted to Provide Bomb Materials Federally Charged With International Terrorism Offense
Dec 29, 2025Northern TexasAn alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Texas Man Charged with Providing Bomb Components and Funding to Individuals He Believed Were Involved with Foreign Terrorist Organization
Dec 29, 2025Northern TexasAn alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Four Family Members Convicted of Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme
Dec 12, 2025Northern TexasA jury in Fort Worth, Texas convicted four family members yesterday of participating in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme.
Daniel Vincent Attridge, of Cedar Park, was arrested and charged with five counts of wire fraud.
North Texas Man Convicted of Conspiracy and Wire Fraud in Cryptocurrency Mining Scheme
Nov 19, 2025Northern TexasA federal jury in Fort Worth convicted Caleb Ward, founder of Geosyn Mining, LLC, on Monday this week of a multi-million-dollar cryptocurrency mining investment fraud that victimized dozens of clients across the United States.
Deer Park resident sentenced for running unlicensed financial scheme involving $2.3 million check
Nov 12, 2025Southern TexasA 66-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison for operating an illegal money transmitting business
A 45-year-old Houston man ordered to federal prison for running a fraudulent investment scheme
A 56-year-old Iraqi citizen who resided in Richmond has been sentenced following his conviction of unlicensed money remitting
Forfeiture: $282K · DOJ press release
A Houston man and woman have pleaded guilty to their respective roles in an identity theft and business email compromise scam (BEC)
Montana man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for engaging in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy
Sep 18, 2025Eastern TexasA Montana man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) obtained a judgment denying a bankruptcy discharge of more than $12.5 million to a Texas man who concealed assets and lied in his bankruptcy case to evade his creditors, including investors in his cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
Justice Department Announces Seizure of Over $2.8 Million in Cryptocurrency, Cash, and other Assets
Aug 14, 2025Northern TexasThe Department of Justice unsealed six warrants yesterday in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Central District of California, and the Northern District of Texas authorizing the seizure of over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury vehicle.
Justice Department Announces Seizure of Over $2.8 Million in Cryptocurrency, Cash, and Other Assets
Aug 14, 2025Northern TexasThe Department of Justice unsealed six warrants yesterday in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Central District of California, authorizing the seizure of over $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, $70,000 in cash, and a luxury vehicle.
A 45-year-old Houston man has admitted to running a fraudulent investment scheme
United States files a civil complaint in the Northern District of Texas seeking the forfeiture of over $1.7 million worth of cryptocurrency seized by Dallas FBI
Jul 28, 2025Northern TexasOn Thursday, July 24, 2025, the United States filed a civil complaint in the Northern District of Texas seeking the forfeiture of over $1.7 million worth of cryptocurrency seized by Dallas FBI in mid-April 2025.
Forfeiture: $1.7M · DOJ press release
California man gets maximum sentence for laundering proceeds from email fraud scheme
Jul 22, 2025Southern TexasA San Fernando, California, man has been ordered to federal prison for operating an illegal money transmitting business
Four Individuals Charged in Northern District of Texas with Health Care Fraud Schemes Totaling over $210 Million as part of National Takedown
Jul 1, 2025Northern TexasThe Justice Department today announced the results of its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss.
A federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Texas, returned an indictment on June 11, unsealed yesterday, charging four family members with conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing tax returns that sought millions of dollars in false refunds.
A federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Texas, returned an indictment on June 11, unsealed yesterday, charging four family members with conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing tax returns that sought millions of dollars in false refunds.
Justice Department Seizes Domains Behind Major Information-Stealing Malware Operation
May 21, 2025Northern TexasThe Justice Department announced today the unsealing of two warrants authorizing the seizure of five internet domains used by malicious cyber actors to operate the LummaC2 information-stealing malware service.
The operators of a durable medical equipment (DME) company have pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare
A 49-year-old naturalized citizen from Arlington has been ordered to prison for unlicensed money transmitting and money laundering
Forfeiture: $581K · DOJ press release
A California man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
A Montana man was found guilty of a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
A California man has admitted to operating an illegal money transmitting business
Foreign national sentenced for racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas
Jan 15, 2025Eastern TexasA Romanian national convicted of plotting to traffic hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from the United States in a scheme that also included money laundering, arms trafficking, and an attempt to assassinate rival gang members, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Ukrainian National Sentenced to Federal Prison in “Raccoon Infostealer” Cybercrime Case
Dec 18, 2024Western TexasUkrainian national Mark Sokolovsky was sentenced in Austin to 60 months in federal prison for one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion after he conspired to operate the Raccoon Infostealer as a malware-as-a-service or “MaaS.”
Forfeiture: $24K · DOJ press release
Couple sentenced for laundering millions in drug proceeds using virtual currency
Dec 12, 2024Southern TexasA Houston resident and his naturalized wife from Vietnam have received prison sentences for unlicensed money transmitting and money laundering
Forfeiture: $486K · DOJ press release
In a joint disruption effort with EuroJust and other partners, the DOJ unsealed a warrant issued in the Western District of Texas that authorized law enforcement to seize two domains used by RedLine and META for command and control, along with a complaint charging Maxim Rudometov, one of the developers and administrators of RedLine Infostealer.
Man Sentenced to 60 Years After Sexually Assaulting Toddlers, Hiding Videos Inside Fake Calculator App
Oct 18, 2024Northern TexasA 25-year-old man who hid photos of himself raping preschool-aged children inside what appeared to be a calculator app on his phone has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison.
Mark Sokolovsky, a Ukrainian national extradited to the U.S. in February, pleaded guilty in federal court in Austin to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion
Forfeiture: $24K · DOJ press release
A Rockwall man who allegedly imported Glock switches from China has been charged with a firearm crime.
South Texan imprisoned in cryptocurrency purchase and child pornography download
Jun 25, 2024Southern TexasA 32-year-old Edcouch resident has been sentenced for receiving child pornography
SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, joined national, state, local, and tribal leaders today in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).
911 S5 Botnet Dismantled and Its Administrator Arrested in Coordinated International Operation
May 29, 2024Eastern TexasA court-authorized international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department disrupted a botnet used to commit cyber attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations.
Forfeiture: $129M · DOJ press release
A Chinese national has been charged with participating in a scheme to launder the proceeds of cryptocurrency investment scams and other fraudulent schemes involving millions of dollars in victim funds in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
A Bedford woman who attempted to hire a hitman to kill her boyfriend’s lover was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison.
A Ukrainian national was sentenced today to 13 years and seven months in prison and ordered to pay over $16 million in restitution for his role in conducting more than 2,500 ransomware attacks and demanding over $700 million in ransom payments.
Forfeiture: $6.1M · DOJ press release
A Ukrainian national was sentenced today to 13 years and seven months in prison and ordered to pay over $16 million in restitution for his role in conducting over 2,500 ransomware attacks and demanding over $700 million in ransom payments.
Forfeiture: $6.1M · DOJ press release
A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against an Iraqi citizen who resided in Richmond for operating a money transmitting business without a license
A Jacksonville, Florida woman has pleaded guilty to federal money laundering violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
California man convicted in cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy and for importing controlled substances
Mar 26, 2024Eastern TexasA San Francisco, California man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
AUSTIN, Texas – A Ukrainian national was extradited to the United States from the Netherlands after being indicted for crimes related to fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.
Sentenced to 293 months (24 years) in federal prison for multiple drug crimes and possession of child pornography.
Brothers get significant sentences for manufacturing deadly fentanyl-laced pills disguised as pain meds
Feb 7, 2024Southern TexasTwo Corpus Christi brothers have been ordered to federal prison for manufacturing and distributing tens of thousands of fentanyl-laced pills disguised as legitimate pharmaceutical-grade pain medications
Sugar Land resident sent to prison for Bitstamp cryptocurrency fraud scheme
Jan 18, 2024Southern TexasA 37-year-old man has been sentenced for aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain and launder more than $500,000
Dallas County individuals indicted in investment fraud and money laundering scheme
Dec 19, 2023Eastern TexasThree individuals have been indicted for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Round Rock Fraudster Sentenced for Stealing More Than $600,000 in Cryptocurrency Through SIM Swapping Scheme
Dec 8, 2023Western Texas24 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $530,000 in restitution to the victims
A federal jury in Beaumont, Texas, convicted a Romanian national today for plotting to traffic hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from the United States in a scheme that also included money laundering, arms trafficking, and an attempt to assassinate rival gang members.
Leader of $70M Cryptocurrency and Binary Options Fraud Schemes Extradited to the U.S.
Nov 3, 2023Northern TexasA Serbian man has been extradited to the United States, where he faces charges in two separate federal indictments in the Northern District of Texas and Eastern District of New York for his alleged participation in coordinated cryptocurrency and binary options schemes.
El Paso Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Operating $9 Million Ponzi Scheme Disguised as Crypto Investment Firm
Oct 31, 2023Western Texas84 months (7 years) in prison for wire fraud
A 37-year-old Sugarland resident has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain and launder more than $500,000
A 13-count indictment was unsealed today charging two pharmacists and a physician for their roles in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud, kickback, and money laundering scheme.
A 13-count indictment was unsealed today charging two pharmacists and a physician for their roles in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud, kickback and money laundering scheme.
Harlingen business operators charged in multi-million dollar power wheelchair fraud scheme
Aug 30, 2023Southern TexasThe operators of a durable medical equipment company have been charged with defrauding Medicare
A 39-year-old man who holds citizenship in the United States and Ghana has been sent to prison for operating an illegal money transmitting business
A darknet fentanyl dealer who used the moniker “Fent4U” was found guilty yesterday of multiple drug crimes and possession of child pornography.
A 39-year-old man who holds citizenship in the United States and Ghana has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal money transmitting business
Coindawg Founder Arrested For Laundering Proceeds Of Fraudulently Obtained Small Business Administration Loans
Mar 23, 2023Eastern TexasDamian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ivan J.
Financial Advisor, Financial Planner, NBA Agent, And Previously Convicted Fraudster Charged With Schemes To Defraud Professional Basketball Players
Mar 23, 2023Southern TexasDamian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J.
Trujillo was sentenced to 33 months in prison plus three years of supervised release and ordered to pay approximately $282,000 in restitution. Dounson received a split sentence of two months in prison and five years of probation and was ordered to pay $282,000 in restitution.
A Virginia woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
El Paso Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Ponzi Scheme Disguised as Crypto Investment Firm
Jan 17, 2023Western TexasEL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in federal court here last week to five counts of wire fraud.
A 36-year-old Sugar Land resident has been taken into custody on charges he fraudulently obtained and laundered more than $500,000
Eastern District of Texas Announces Multi-Year Investigation into Transnational Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Networks
Nov 30, 2022Eastern TexasTYLER, Texas – According to court documents unsealed today, 21 individuals have been charged for their roles in transnational money laundering networks, including those that laundered millions of dollars stolen from United States fraud victims through romance scams, business email compromises, technical support schemes, and other fraud schemes.
TYLER, Texas – A Nevada man and a South Carolina man have been indicted in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. Randall V. Rule, 71, of Reno, NV, and Gregory C.
CityXGuide Owner Sentenced to 8+ Years in Prison for Reckless Disregard of Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Conspiracy
Nov 14, 2022Northern TexasThe owner of CityXGuide.com was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit more than $15 million in assets.
Forfeiture: $18M · DOJ press release
Owner of Cryptocurrency Company Charged with COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Fraud
Nov 9, 2022Northern TexasA Dallas man who allegedly devised a scheme to defraud a pandemic-era financial program out of hundreds of thousands of dollars has been federally charged.
TYLER, Texas – A 37-year-old Florida woman has been indicted in a cryptocurrency money laundering scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
Newly Unsealed Indictment Charges Ukrainian National with International Cybercrime Operation
Oct 25, 2022Western TexasAUSTIN – A newly unsealed federal grand jury indictment charges Mark Sokolovsky, 26, a Ukrainian national, for his alleged role in an international cybercrime operation known as Raccoon Infostealer, which infected millions of computers around the world with malware.
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer fraud for a scheme utilizing Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swapping.
TYLER, Texas – A San Francisco, CA man has been indicted for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
A 42-year-old man residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to distribute cocaine as a Darknet vendor
Man Sentenced to Statutory Maximum of 20 Years in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography
Jun 30, 2022Northern TexasSentenced to the statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography.
A 49-year-old out-of-state man has pleaded guilty to running an unlicensed money transmitting business
TYLER – The U.S. Marshals and the FBI are alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials.
Texas Man and Arkansas Woman Arrested for Running Illegal Money Transmitting Business
Apr 28, 2022Northern TexasBOSTON – A Texas man and an Arkansas woman were arrested today in connection with allegedly operating a money transmitting business that laundered the proceeds of online investment fraud schemes.
Deependra Bhusal was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Founders of Crypto ICO Sentenced to Combined 8 Years in Prison for Tax Evasion After Raising $24 Million from Investors
Mar 10, 2022Northern TexasThe owners of a cryptocurrency company have been sentenced to a combined 8 years in federal prison for tax evasion.
TYLER, Texas –A 75-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man have been indicted for their roles in a cryptocurrency money laundering scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
Sodinokibi/REvil Ransomware Defendant Extradited to United States and Arraigned in Texas
Mar 9, 2022Northern TexasA man charged with conducting ransomware attacks against multiple victims, including the July 2021 attack against Kaseya, made his initial appearance and was arraigned today in the Northern District of Texas.
24-month sentence followed by one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $31,409.37 restitution
Chinese Citizen Charged with Massive Anabolic Steroid and Fentanyl Precursor Chemical Distribution Scheme
Dec 14, 2021Northern TexasThe U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has filed federal charges against one of the world’s largest alleged anabolic steroid producers, U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham announced today.
The Justice Department announced today recent actions taken against two foreign nationals charged with deploying Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware to attack businesses and government entities in the United States, amnounced Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa
Today, the Justice Department announced recent actions taken against two foreign nationals charged with deploying Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware to attack businesses and government entities in the United States.
Five individuals charged in multi-million dollar money laundering conspiracy
Nov 4, 2021Southern TexasA fifth individual has surrendered to authorities in relation to a multi-year, multi-million dollar money laundering conspiracy
Founders of Crypto ICO Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion After Raising $24 Million from Investors
Oct 12, 2021Northern TexasThe owners of the cryptocurrency company Bitqyck have pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah announced today that he will be resigning from the Justice Department effective October 1.
TYLER, Texas – A Pensacola, Florida man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today. Perry Lewis Crenshaw, Jr., 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering today before U.S.
Forfeiture: $32K · DOJ press release
TYLER, Texas – Three former Texans now living in Louisiana have pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
The inventor of cryptocurrency AriseCoin was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for duping investors out of more than $4 million.
Darkweb Drug Trafficker Arrested in Operation DisrupTor Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison
Jul 8, 2021Northern TexasA darkweb cocaine and heroin trafficker has been sentenced to 6 ½ years in federal prison for drug conspiracy.
Forfeiture: $50K · DOJ press release
A Richardson man who calls himself “Doctor Bitcoin” has pleaded guilty to illegally operating a cash-to-cryptocurrency conversion business.
Two Texas Women Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involvement in Transnational Elder Fraud Scheme
May 6, 2021Eastern TexasEach defendant sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.
A 33-year-old Brownsville resident has been taken into custody after being on the run from law enforcement for the past year
John David McAfee And Executive Adviser Of His Cryptocurrency Team Indicted In Manhattan Federal Court For Fraud And Money Laundering Conspiracy Crimes
Mar 5, 2021Northern TexasAudrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Reminds East Texans to Beware of Social Security Scam Calls
Mar 4, 2021Eastern Texas“For the past year, we have seen a steady increase in Social Security-related scam calls,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “The financial exploitation of older Americans will not be tolerated. We are partnering with the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General to spread the word about these scams. We encourage anyone who receives such calls to hang up.”
Serbian Man Extradited to U.S., Charged with $70 Million Fraud in North Texas
Feb 5, 2021Northern TexasA Serbian man has been extradited from Serbia to the United States to face allegations that he and others duped investors out of more than $70 million.
A darkweb cocaine and heroin trafficker has pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy.
Protecting the Greatest Generation: U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Sets Forth Strategy for War Against Transnational Elder Fraud
Dec 15, 2020Eastern TexasUnited States Attorney Stephen J. Cox addresses the North Texas Crime Commission (NTCC) today via a Zoom meeting for their regular monthly meeting.
Costa Rican Living in El Paso Indicted for Fraudulent Lottery Scheme -- Stole more than One Million Dollars from Unsuspecting Individuals
Oct 23, 2020Western TexasIn El Paso, the federal grand jury indicted 39-year-old Allan Francisco Castrillo Bastos, a citizen of Costa Rica residing in El Paso, in connection with a scheme to steal over $1 million from dozens of unsuspecting individuals who believed they had won the lottery and had to pay
Forfeiture: $1.2M · DOJ press release
International Law Enforcement Operation Targeting Opioid Traffickers on the Darknet Results in over 170 Arrests Worldwide and the Seizure of Weapons, Drugs and over $6.5 Million
Sep 22, 2020Northern TexasToday, the Department of Justice, through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team joined Europol to announce the results of Operation DisrupTor, a coordinated international effort to disrupt opioid trafficking on the Darknet. The operation, which was conducted across the United States and Europe, demonstrates the continued partnership between JCODE and Europol against the illegal sale of drugs and other illicit goods and services. Operation DisrupTor builds on the success of last year’s Operation SaboTor and the coordinated law enforcement takedown of the Wall Street Market, one of the largest illegal online markets on the dark web.
NDTX Charges Alleged DarkWeb Drug Trafficker Arrested in DOJ Operation DisrupTor
Sep 22, 2020Northern TexasToday, the Department of Justice, through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team, joined Europol to announce the results of Operation DisrupTor, a coordinated international effort to disrupt opioid trafficking on the Darknet.
Operators Of Global Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme And Attorney Charged With Fraud And Money Laundering
Aug 18, 2020Eastern TexasAudrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter C.
Two Texas Women Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Charges in Transnational Elder Fraud Scheme
Aug 7, 2020Eastern TexasPamela Sue Hannan, 67, of Sherman, Texas, and Pamela Sue Jennings, 68, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiring with foreign co-conspirators to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business on August 6, 2020 before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell.
Six Charged in Transnational Money Laundering Operation Involving Elder Fraud
Jul 31, 2020Eastern TexasA federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment on June 18, 2020, charging a money laundering conspiracy and operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.
A Texas man has been taken into custody on allegations he fraudulently obtained more than $1.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick for the Southern District of Texas.
A local man has been taken into custody on allegations he fraudulently obtained more than $1.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Shuts Down Website Promoting Prostitution and Sex Trafficking, Indicts Owner
Jun 19, 2020Northern TexasThe website CityXGuide.com — a leading source of online advertisements for prostitution and sex trafficking that users described as “taking over from where Backpage left off” — has been seized and its owner charged in a 28-count federal indictment.
Federal Grand Jury in Austin Indicts Nigerian Citizen for Victimizing Previous Fraud Victims
Dec 18, 2019Western TexasA federal grand jury in Austin indicted a Nigerian citizen for masquerading as a representative of the Texas State Securities Board to steal money from victims of a previous fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney John F.
Fentanyl Distributor who Used the Dark Web and Crypto Currency in Furtherance of his Criminal Enterprise Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison
Oct 3, 2019Western TexasSentenced to 30 years in federal prison, plus a $14.32 million money judgment and forfeiture of his San Antonio residence, five firearms, approximately $28K in U.S. currency, more than $21K in crypto currency, jewelry valued over $31K, four vehicles including a 2013 Maserati Gran Turismo, and interest in a 'DRNK coffee + tea' franchise.
Forfeiture: $350 · DOJ press release
DARKNET FENTANYL DEALER INDICTED IN NATIONWIDE UNDERCOVER OPERATION TARGETING DARKNET VENDORS WHO WERE SELLING TO THOUSANDS OF U.S. RESIDENTS
May 31, 2019Northern TexasWASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas announced the indictment of a darknet drug dealer who has been indicted for leveraging Bitcoin’s apparent anonymity to sell fentanyl online.
Forfeiture: $13.3M · DOJ press release
Darknet Fentanyl Dealer Indicted in Nationwide Undercover Operation Targeting Darknet Vendors Who were Selling to Thousands of U.S. Residents
May 30, 2019Northern TexasYesterday, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas announced the indictment of a darknet drug dealer who has been indicted for leveraging Bitcoin’s apparent anonymity to sell fentanyl online. The charges against him are the result of the first nationwide undercover operation targeting darknet vendors that the Justice Department announced in June 2018.
Forfeiture: $13.3M · DOJ press release
A darknet drug dealer has been indicted for leveraging bitcoin’s apparent anonymity to sell fentanyl online.
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography Charges
May 28, 2019Western Texas70 months in federal prison, $35,000 restitution to seven victims, $10,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and ten years of supervised release after prison
Cryptocurrency CEO Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud in $4 Million Crypto Scheme
Mar 20, 2019Northern TexasThe inventor of cryptocurrency AriseCoin pleaded guilty today to duping investors out of more than $4 million. Jared Rice's case case is one of the first in which an individual has pleaded guilty to securities fraud involving a cryptocurrency in U.S. federal court.
In this week's NDTX roundup: Six defendants were sentenced for their role in a cocaine distribution ring... and a federal escapee pleaded guilty to fleeing federal custody.
AriseBank CEO Jared Rice, Sr. was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday, charged with duping hundreds of investors out of more than $4 million in a cryptocurrency scheme
Multiple Sentences Imposed in Massive Synthetic Narcotics Distribution Network
Nov 28, 2018Southern TexasThe five leaders and eight other co-conspirators have been sentenced for their roles in one of the largest synthetic cannabinoids distribution networks in the United States
27 months in federal prison, $552,651.00 in restitution, and three years of supervised release
More Than $13 Million Forfeited Against Multiple Individuals in Car Nationalization Business
May 2, 2018Southern TexasSeven people have been ordered to forfeit more than $13 million following their convictions related to a car nationalization business
Forfeiture: $12.6M · DOJ press release
A 28-year-old former employee of BP America Inc. has admitted he attempted to extort money from the company
Operator Of Bitcoin Investment Platform Charged With Perjury And Obstruction Of Justice
Feb 21, 2018Northern TexasGeoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that JON E.
Jessica Christine Holl sentenced to 210 months in federal prison; co-defendant Sidney Caleb Lanier sentenced to 135 months; co-defendant Jamie Marie Robertson sentenced to 48 months.
Sidney Caleb Lanier sentenced to 135 months in federal prison; Jamie Marie Robertson sentenced to 48 months in federal prison.
LUBBOCK, Texas — Sidney Caleb Lanier, 36, of Lubbock, Texas, pleaded guilty this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant Jr. to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S.
A 37-year-old resident of Sugar Land has entered a guilty plea to aiding and abetting an unlicensed money transmitting business
Former Tamaulipas Governor Indicted in Money Laundering Scheme with Brother-in-Law
Jun 19, 2015Southern TexasCORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – An indictment has been officially unsealed charging Eugenio Hernandez Flores, the former governor of Tamaulipas, Mexico, with conspiring to launder monetary instruments and aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business, ann
Forfeiture: $2M · DOJ press release
Sentenced to 14 years (168 months) in federal prison and ordered to pay a $1,893,170 money judgment, with expected deportation proceedings after release.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney And FBI Assistant Director Announce Securities And Wire Fraud Charges Against Texas Man For Running Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme
Nov 6, 2014Eastern TexasPreet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that TRENDON SHAVERS, a/k/a “pirateat40,” was arres
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Oscar J.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Law enforcement officials have arrested a total of nine individuals alleging they violated the laws of the United States by moving money undetected through the United States banking system from Florida to Texas into Mexico, announced United States Attorney Ke
Forfeiture: $1.9M · DOJ press release
One of the leaders of a criminal conspiracy that laundered more than $20 million through “shell” business bank accounts was sentenced today to 151 months in prison.
Morales sentenced to 188 months in prison; Foster received 121 months; Smith received 30 months; Combs received 24 months; Whitehurst to be sentenced on August 26.
Five Convicted In Relation To $20+ Million ‘Black Market Peso Exchange’ Scheme
Feb 12, 2013Southern TexasHOUSTON – One of the leaders of an organization that laundered more than $20 million through “shell” business bank accounts has just entered a guilty plea in federal court in Houston, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Assistant Attorney General La
One of the leaders of an organization that laundered more than $20 million through “shell” business bank accounts pleaded guilty today in federal court in Houston.
Former Convenience Store Owner Sentenced To Nearly Five Years In Federal Prison For Food Stamp Fraud, Wire Fraud And Conducting An Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business
Jan 25, 2013Northern Texas13 concurrent sentences of 57 months each, plus $1,418,027 in restitution, $98,000 payable immediately
Case titles open a full case page built from the DOJ record; details reflect DOJ announcements, which describe allegations and outcomes as of publication. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Nothing here is legal advice.
Browse by federal district
The rows above are the record; the reading of them - the acceleration curve, the forfeiture spikes, the charge mix, the district map - lives in the enforcement report, recomputed from this dataset on every refresh.
What is 18 U.S.C. § 1960?
Section 1960 of Title 18 makes it a federal crime to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. It is a registration offense: the crime is moving money for others without the required FinCEN registration or state license — no fraud, no victim, and no bad intent beyond the missing paperwork is required for the core offense. That structure is why § 1960 became federal prosecutors' workhorse statute for early peer-to-peer bitcoin sellers, and why it sits at the center of the case of Mark “Doctor Bitcoin” Hopkins — the Dallas-area educator whose prosecution is this site's deepest study of the statute's human cost. Texas state law points the other way: under Supervisory Memorandum 1037, selling your own bitcoin requires no state license — the seam between those two maps is exactly where § 1960 cases live, and it's traced in full on the Texas Bitcoin law timeline.
How is this tracker built?
The pipeline starts with the Department of Justice's public press-release archive — government works in the public domain. An open-source collector (project1960, CC BY-SA 4.0) scrapes the full archive, filters for § 1960 and cryptocurrency cases, and extracts structured fields — district, charges, forfeiture amounts, themes — which we then narrow to Texas's four federal districts with strict relevance checks. The dataset regenerates nightly, so new prosecutions appear here within a day of the DOJ announcing them. The tracker shows nothing about any defendant beyond what the government itself published, and every row links back to its primary source.
What kinds of cases appear here?
The docket is a map of how crypto actually meets the criminal law in Texas: money-laundering conspiracies where crypto was the rail, darknet-market prosecutions out of Houston and Dallas, romance- and investment-scam cases with crypto off-ramps, unlicensed exchange operations, and seizure-and-forfeiture actions recovering stolen or laundered funds. Filter by theme above to slice the docket; filter by year to watch enforcement volume track the market cycle. What the dataset does not show is any prosecution for simply owning, mining, or trading bitcoin — that conduct is legal, as the law timeline documents in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is 18 U.S.C. § 1960?
18 U.S.C. § 1960 is the federal statute criminalizing operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. It is a registration offense: the crime is transmitting money without the required federal (FinCEN) registration or state license, independent of any fraud. Many crypto prosecutions in Texas include a § 1960 count alongside other charges.
Does this tracker mean Bitcoin is illegal in Texas?
No — the opposite. Bitcoin is legal to buy, sell, hold, and mine in Texas. These cases involve specific conduct the federal government prosecutes — unlicensed money transmission, laundering, fraud, darknet markets — in which cryptocurrency happened to be the rail. The Texas Bitcoin Law Timeline covers the affirmative legal framework.
Where does the case data come from?
Every case is built from public U.S. Department of Justice press releases — public-domain government records — collected via the open-source project1960 pipeline and filtered to Texas's four federal districts. Each row links to its original DOJ release. The dataset regenerates nightly; this page was last built from data generated Aug 18, 2026.
Which Texas federal district brings the most crypto cases?
As of the current dataset, the Northern District of Texas leads with 55 of the 152 tracked cases. All four Texas federal districts — Northern (Dallas), Southern (Houston), Eastern (Sherman/Plano), and Western (Austin/San Antonio) — appear in the dataset.
Sources & licensing
Case data is sourced from public U.S. Department of Justice press releases via justice.gov/news (public domain), collected and structured with the open-source project1960 pipeline (CC BY-SA 4.0), which we've extended for Texas-district filtering. The resulting dataset is shared under the same license. This is a research and reference page, not legal advice; per district conventions, cases are attributed to the districts named in DOJ announcements. Every district count, forfeiture figure, and date on this page is computed directly from the dataset at build time — nothing is hand-maintained.