Texas Man and Woman Indicted for Money Laundering for Online Fraud Schemes
2022-09-27 · Press release
Mentions 1960 Crypto Verified 1960
Summary: BOSTON – A Texas man and woman were indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud and romance fraud schemes.
BOSTON – A Texas man and woman were indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud and romance fraud schemes.
Charles Ochi, 27, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Vanessa Okocha, 24, of Houston, Texas were indicted on one count each of money laundering conspiracy, one count of conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Ochi will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. Okocha remains at large.
According to the charging documents, beginning in or around 2016, Ochi and Okocha conspired with others to launder and transmit proceeds of Ponzi-style investment fraud schemes based in Nigeria and of romance scams. Specifically, the investment fraud schemes allegedly purported to offer trading and Bitcoin investing services when, in fact, investor funds were stolen and victims’ investments were later used to pay purported returns to earlier investors. The romance fraud schemes deceived online victims into sending money to persons with whom they believed they had a romantic relationship. It is alleged that Ochi and Okocha laundered the fraud proceeds as part of aa network of co-conspirators in the United States, including the owners of at least two used car exporting companies. Ochi and Okocha, along with their co-conspirators, did not hold money transmitting licenses in their respective states of residence, nor were they registered as money transmitters as required by federal law.
The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business and the charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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- https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/texas-man-and-woman-indicted-money-laundering-online-fraud-schemes
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| participant_id | name | role | title | organization | location | age | nationality | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1640 | Charles Ochi | defendant | Grand Prairie, Texas | 27 | indicted | |||
| 1641 | Vanessa Okocha | defendant | Houston, Texas | 24 | indicted; remains at large | |||
| 1642 | Rachael S. Rollins | prosecutor | U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Boston, Massachusetts | |||
| 1643 | Joseph R. Bonavolonta | law enforcement | Special Agent in Charge | Federal Bureau of Investigation | Boston, Massachusetts | |||
| 1644 | Joleen D. Simpson | law enforcement | Special Agent in Charge | Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations | Boston, Massachusetts | |||
| 1645 | Jennifer De La O | law enforcement | Director of Field Operations | U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Boston, Massachusetts | |||
| 1646 | Kriss Basil | prosecutor | Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office | Boston, Massachusetts |
| agency_id | agency_name | abbreviation | role | office_location | agents_mentioned | contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1024 | Federal Bureau of Investigation | FBI | investigation | Boston Division | Joseph R. Bonavolonta | Led the investigation and announced the case. |
| 1025 | Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations | investigation | Boston | Joleen D. Simpson | Provided investigative support through their Boston office. | |
| 1026 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection | CBP | investigation | Boston Field Office | Jennifer De La O | Contributed through their Boston Field Office in the case. |
| 1027 | Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | assistance | Provided valuable assistance to the investigation. | |||
| 1028 | United States Attorney's Office | prosecution | Boston | Rachael S. Rollins, Kriss Basil | Prosecuting the case and overseeing legal proceedings. |
| charge_id | charge_description | statute | severity | max_penalty | fine_amount | defendant | status | participant_id | cl_docket_id | count_num | is_1960 | verified_1960 | source | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 825 | money laundering conspiracy | 20 years in prison | $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds | Charles Ochi | indicted | 0 | enrichment | |||||||
| 828 | money laundering conspiracy | 20 years in prison | $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds | Vanessa Okocha | indicted | 0 | enrichment | |||||||
| 826 | conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business | 5 years in prison | $250,000 or twice the gain or loss | Charles Ochi | indicted | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 | ||||||
| 827 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | 5 years in prison | $250,000 or twice the gain or loss | Charles Ochi | indicted | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 | ||||||
| 829 | conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business | 5 years in prison | $250,000 or twice the gain or loss | Vanessa Okocha | indicted | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 | ||||||
| 830 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | 5 years in prison | $250,000 or twice the gain or loss | Vanessa Okocha | indicted | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 | ||||||
| 2755 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud and romance fraud schemes | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:56+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2756 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:56+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2757 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of super | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:56+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2758 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online investment fraud and romance fraud s | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:56+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2759 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:56+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2760 | unlicensed money transmitting business to launder the proceeds of online inves | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:56+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2761 | unlicensed money transmitting business and one count of operating an unlicense | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2762 | unlicensed money transmitting business and the charge of operating an unlicens | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:57+00:00 |
| fin_id | action_type | amount | currency | description | asset_type | defendant | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 276 | fine | $500,000 | USD | Fine for money laundering conspiracy charge (whichever is greater between $500,000 or twice laundered funds) | cash | Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha | pending |
| 277 | fine | $250,000 | USD | Fine for conspiracy to conduct unlicensed money transmitting business (whichever is greater between $250,000 or twice the gain/loss) | cash | Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha | pending |
| 278 | fine | $250,000 | USD | Fine for operating unlicensed money transmitting business (whichever is greater between $250,000 or twice the gain/loss) | cash | Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha | pending |
| victim_id | victim_type | description | number_affected | loss_amount | geographic_scope | vulnerability_factors | impact_description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 206 | individual | investors | Investor funds were stolen and used to pay purported returns to earlier investors | ||||
| 207 | individual | online victims | Deceived into sending money to persons with whom they believed they had a romantic relationship |
| quote_id | quote_text | speaker_name | speaker_title | speaker_organization | quote_type | context | significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 706 | The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. | statement | Legal presumption of innocence | Establishes the legal standard for the defendants' guilt |
| theme_id | theme_name | description | significance | related_statutes | geographic_scope | temporal_aspects | stakeholders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1009 | Money Laundering | Laundering proceeds from online investment fraud and romance scams through an unlicensed money transmitting network. | Central to the indictment, as the defendants are charged with conspiracy to launder funds from fraudulent activities. | International | Ongoing since 2016 | Law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, victims | |
| 1010 | Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business | Operating without state or federal licenses to transmit funds, violating legal requirements. | Core charge leading to indictment, highlighting regulatory violations. | National | Ongoing since 2016 | Law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies (e.g., Commodity Futures Trading Commission), financial institutions | |
| 1011 | Online Fraud Schemes | Including Ponzi-style investment fraud and romance scams that defrauded victims into sending money. | Source of laundered funds, forming the basis for money laundering charges. | International | Ongoing since 2016 | Victims, fraud operators, financial institutions |
CourtListener / RECAP
Linked dockets
- CL #65381177 1:22-cr-10255 (mad) Weak match
Documents
| Entry | Description | OCR | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| #137 desc | NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Kaitlin O'Donnell appearing for USA. (O'Donnell, Kaitlin) (Entered: 03/16/2026) | none | none |
| #136 desc | MEMORANDUM in Support by Charles Ochi re 135 MOTION to Vacate under 28 U.S.C. 2255. (JAM) (Entered: 03/03/2026) | none | none |
| #135 desc | MOTION to Vacate under 28 U.S.C. 2255 as to Charles Ochi. (JAM) Civil case 1:26-cv-11079 opened. (Entered: 03/03/2026) | none | none |
| #134 desc | NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Government Attorney Kriss Basil as to Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha (Basil, Kriss) (Entered: 12/12/2025) | none | none |
| #133 desc | MANDATE of USCA as to Charles Ochi re Appeal number 105 . Appeal number 105 Terminated (MAP) (Entered: 08/12/2025) | none | none |
| #132 desc | Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered denying 131 Motion to Reduce Sentence and/or Appoint Counsel in light of Amendment 821 as to Charles Ochi (1). Mr. Ochi did have zero criminal history points; however, he is not eligible for a 2-level reduction per USSG 4C1.1 because he received an adjustment for aggravating role and, therefore, does not meet all the criteria. See USSG 4C1.1(a)(10). (TRM) (Entered: 08/11/2025) | none | none |
| #131 desc | Motion regarding 821 Eligibility as to Charles Ochi. (JAM) (Entered: 08/04/2025) | none | none |
| #130 desc | JUDGMENT of USCA as to Charles Ochi re 105 Notice of Appeal - Final Judgment. AFFIRMED... (MAP) (Entered: 05/20/2025) | none | none |
| #129 desc | Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 128 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney as to Charles Ochi (1), Vanessa Okocha (2). Nicole Bluefort terminated, successor counsel in place. (TRM) (Entered: 01/14/2025) | none | none |
| #128 desc | First MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Nicole Bluefort as to Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha by Charles Ochi. (Bluefort, Nicole) (Entered: 01/03/2025) | none | none |
| #127 desc | Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 125 MOTION to Seal Document #97, Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum. (Maynard, Timothy) (Entered: 12/04/2024) | none | none |
| #126 desc | NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Dana L. Goldblatt appearing for Charles Ochi. Type of Appearance: Retained. (Goldblatt, Dana) (Entered: 11/27/2024) | none | none |
| #125 desc | MOTION to Seal Document #97, Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum as to Charles Ochi. (Goldblatt, Dana) (Entered: 11/27/2024) | none | none |
| #124 desc | CJA 20 Appointment of Attorney John F. Palmer as to Vanessa Okocha. (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 04/22/2024) | none | none |
| #123 desc | Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING, 121 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Jessica Diane Hedges terminated as to Vanessa Okocha (2) (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 04/19/2024) | none | none |
| #122 desc | Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 120 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Robert M. Griffin terminated as to Vanessa Okocha (2) (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 04/19/2024) | none | none |
| #121 desc | MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Jessica Hedges as to Vanessa Okocha. (Hedges, Jessica) (Entered: 04/19/2024) | none | none |
| #120 desc | MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Robert M. Griffin as to Vanessa Okocha. (Griffin, Robert) (Entered: 04/11/2024) | none | none |
| #119 desc | NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (Dore, Samantha) (Entered: 03/25/2024) | none | none |
| #118 desc | Transcript of Status Conference and Bond Hearing as to Charles Ochi held on August 9, 2022, before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal. COA Case No. 23-1537. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Linda Walsh at lwalshsteno@gmail.com The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Redaction Request due 4/15/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/25/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/24/2024. (Dore, Samantha) (Entered: 03/25/2024) | none | none |
| #118 desc | Transcript of Status Conference and Bond Hearing as to Charles Ochi held on August 9, 2022, before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal. COA Case No. 23-1537. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Linda Walsh at lwalshsteno@gmail.com The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Redaction Request due 4/15/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/25/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/24/2024. (Dore, Samantha) (Entered: 03/25/2024) | none | none |
| #119 desc | NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (Dore, Samantha) (Entered: 03/25/2024) | none | none |
| #120 desc | MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Robert M. Griffin as to Vanessa Okocha. (Griffin, Robert) (Entered: 04/11/2024) | none | none |
| #121 desc | MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Jessica Hedges as to Vanessa Okocha. (Hedges, Jessica) (Entered: 04/19/2024) | none | none |
| #122 desc | Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 120 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Robert M. Griffin terminated as to Vanessa Okocha (2) (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 04/19/2024) | none | none |
| #123 desc | Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING, 121 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Attorney Jessica Diane Hedges terminated as to Vanessa Okocha (2) (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 04/19/2024) | none | none |
| #124 desc | CJA 20 Appointment of Attorney John F. Palmer as to Vanessa Okocha. (Hutchins, Aaron) (Entered: 04/22/2024) | none | none |
| #125 desc | MOTION to Seal Document #97, Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum as to Charles Ochi. (Goldblatt, Dana) (Entered: 11/27/2024) | none | none |
| #126 desc | NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Dana L. Goldblatt appearing for Charles Ochi. Type of Appearance: Retained. (Goldblatt, Dana) (Entered: 11/27/2024) | none | none |
| #127 desc | Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 125 MOTION to Seal Document #97, Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum. (Maynard, Timothy) (Entered: 12/04/2024) | none | none |
| #128 desc | First MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Nicole Bluefort as to Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha by Charles Ochi. (Bluefort, Nicole) (Entered: 01/03/2025) | none | none |
| #129 desc | Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 128 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney as to Charles Ochi (1), Vanessa Okocha (2). Nicole Bluefort terminated, successor counsel in place. (TRM) (Entered: 01/14/2025) | none | none |
| #130 desc | JUDGMENT of USCA as to Charles Ochi re 105 Notice of Appeal - Final Judgment. AFFIRMED... (MAP) (Entered: 05/20/2025) | none | none |
| #131 desc | Motion regarding 821 Eligibility as to Charles Ochi. (JAM) (Entered: 08/04/2025) | none | none |
| #132 desc | Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered denying 131 Motion to Reduce Sentence and/or Appoint Counsel in light of Amendment 821 as to Charles Ochi (1). Mr. Ochi did have zero criminal history points; however, he is not eligible for a 2-level reduction per USSG 4C1.1 because he received an adjustment for aggravating role and, therefore, does not meet all the criteria. See USSG 4C1.1(a)(10). (TRM) (Entered: 08/11/2025) | none | none |
| #133 desc | MANDATE of USCA as to Charles Ochi re Appeal number 105 . Appeal number 105 Terminated (MAP) (Entered: 08/12/2025) | none | none |
| #134 desc | NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Government Attorney Kriss Basil as to Charles Ochi, Vanessa Okocha (Basil, Kriss) (Entered: 12/12/2025) | none | none |
| #135 desc | MOTION to Vacate under 28 U.S.C. 2255 as to Charles Ochi. (JAM) Civil case 1:26-cv-11079 opened. (Entered: 03/03/2026) | none | none |
| #136 desc | MEMORANDUM in Support by Charles Ochi re 135 MOTION to Vacate under 28 U.S.C. 2255. (JAM) (Entered: 03/03/2026) | none | none |
| #137 desc | NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Kaitlin O'Donnell appearing for USA. (O'Donnell, Kaitlin) (Entered: 03/16/2026) | none | none |
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