Guilty pleaWestern Texas
El Paso Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Ponzi Scheme Disguised as Crypto Investment Firm
Jan 17, 2023 · Sourced to the U.S. Department of Justice
This case reached the guilty plea stage in the Department of Justice's public record. Everything below reflects only what the government itself announced, and links to the original release.
EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man pleaded guilty in federal court here last week to five counts of wire fraud.
Defendants
- Abner Tinoco — age 27 · El Paso, Texas · pleaded guilty
Charges
Wire fraud (five counts)
Max: 20 years in prisonAbner Tinoco· pleaded guilty
Financial actions
- fine: $250,000 — Maximum fine per count for wire fraud
- restitution — Restitution for victims of the Ponzi scheme
Investigating agencies
Federal Bureau of InvestigationU.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of TexasCommodities Futures Trading Commission
Case details
- Prosecuting office
- Western District of Texas
Civil Enforcement And Regulatory ActionCryptocurrency Investment FraudLaw Enforcement Investigation And ProsecutionMisappropriation Of FundsPonzi SchemeVictim RestitutionWire Fraud
Primary source
Every fact above is drawn from the Department of Justice's own announcement — a public-domain government record.
Read the original DOJ release →This is a research and reference page compiled from public DOJ announcements, not legal advice. Details reflect the government's statements as of its release date and may not capture later developments such as appeals, dismissals, or overturned convictions. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.