SPRINGFIELD, IL – Carlos Wright, 32, of Springfield, Illinois, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 42 months for a double-dip of criminal activity: possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and defrauding the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program. U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough handed down the sentence on September 21, 2022, adding a three-year supervised release term following his imprisonment. Wright must also repay $46,666 in restitution.
The case reveals a pattern of brazen disregard for the law. Wright, already a convicted felon, was found in possession of a Century Arms Ras4 firearm while on probation. Simultaneously, he’d been filing fraudulent applications for PPP loans, designed to help legitimate businesses weather the pandemic. The government proved Wright didn’t own or operate a business and wasn’t employed at the time of the applications – a clear indication of intent to defraud.
Court evidence painted a disturbing picture of Wright’s recklessness. At the time of his arrest for the weapons charge, he was driving with the loaded firearm casually resting in the passenger seat. He managed to secure a total of $41,666 in PPP funds through his deceit, money that could have aided struggling businesses in the Springfield area. The indictment for the weapons charge came in June 2021, followed by a second indictment for the fraud offenses in December 2021. He ultimately pleaded guilty in April 2022.
Wright faced significant penalties. Possession of a firearm as a felon carried a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The wire fraud charge could have landed him up to 20 years behind bars, along with a $250,000 fine and restitution. Finally, the false statements on a loan application carried a potential sentence of up to 30 years, a $1,000,000 fine, and restitution.
“We very much appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to remove firearms from the hands of those not legally permitted to possess them,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore. “Additionally, we hope those who improperly obtained some of the limited funds available to help businesses during the pandemic realize the detriment they caused to their own community.” The U.S. Secret Service, leading the financial fraud investigation, emphasized its ongoing commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside the Springfield Police Department, handled the firearm aspect of the case. Stephen Webster, Resident Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Springfield office, reiterated the agency’s dedication to pursuing those who exploit financial systems for personal gain. This case serves as a harsh reminder that pandemic relief funds are not free money, and those who attempt to defraud the system will face serious consequences.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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