MediaMuv Duo Accused of $20M Music Royalty Heist

PHOENIX, AZ – A brazen scheme to siphon off millions in music royalties has landed two men in federal court. Jose Teran, 36, of Scottsdale, Arizona, appeared today facing charges of Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, Transactional Money Laundering, and Aggravated Identity Theft. His alleged accomplice, Webster Batista, 38, of Doral, Florida, was arrested November 18th at his Florida residence.

Federal prosecutors allege that Teran and Batista, operating through their company MediaMuv, systematically defrauded royalty payment systems, raking in over $20 million from music they didn’t own. According to a 30-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Phoenix, the pair falsely claimed ownership of over 50,000 songs, beginning in February 2017. They allegedly secured contracts with third-party companies based on these false claims, pocketing the royalties without compensating the actual artists.

The indictment paints a picture of calculated deception. Teran and Batista allegedly failed to pay a dime to the top 30 artists – or their representatives – whose music generated the illicit revenue. To further conceal their operation, the pair reportedly used the identities of others, creating the illusion of a larger workforce and bolstering their false claims of ownership. This isn’t just a case of financial greed; it’s a calculated exploitation of artists and the music industry.

But the stolen royalties didn’t just disappear into corporate accounts. Prosecutors allege Teran and Batista used the fraudulent proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing high-end cars, jewelry, and property. The feds are now looking to seize these assets as part of the ongoing investigation. This isn’t a victimless crime; it’s a blatant disregard for the rights of those who create the music we enjoy.

If convicted, Teran and Batista face a hefty prison sentence: up to 5 years for Conspiracy, up to 20 years for Wire Fraud, up to 10 years for Transactional Money Laundering, and a mandatory consecutive 2-year sentence for Aggravated Identity Theft. They could also be hit with fines of up to $250,000 per felony conviction. It’s a steep price to pay, but will it be enough to deter others from attempting similar schemes?

An indictment is not a conviction. Both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raymond K. Woo and Seth T. Goertz, District of Arizona, Phoenix, with the investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. Case Number: CR21-0955-PHX-DLR. Release Number: 2021-090_Batista.

RELATED: MediaMuv Chiefs Hit with $20M Music Royalty Thefts