SentencedSouthern Texas
Texas resident sentenced for role in crypto-Ponzi scheme
Nov 3, 2025 · Sourced to the U.S. Department of Justice
This case reached the sentenced stage in the Department of Justice's public record. Everything below reflects only what the government itself announced, and links to the original release.
A 45-year-old Houston man ordered to federal prison for running a fraudulent investment scheme
Defendants
- Samuel Ayala-Ibarra — age 45 · Houston, Texas · sentenced
Charges
Fraudulent investment scheme (crypto-Ponzi scheme)
Samuel Ayala-Ibarra· pleaded guilty
Investigating agencies
United States Secret ServiceU.S. Attorney's OfficeFederal Bureau of Prisons
Case details
- Prosecuting office
- Southern District of Texas
- Judge
- Kenneth M. Hoyt, Senior U.S. District Judge
Criminal Sentencing And ForfeitureCryptocurrency Investment FraudFederal Law Enforcement InvestigationPonzi SchemeSophisticated Fraud Techniques
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.