San Antonio, Texas – A former soldier who also served as a civilian contract recruiter has pleaded guilty to his role in a wide-ranging wire fraud scheme to obtain recruiting bonuses.
Christopher Castro, 30, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Castro was indicted on September 13, 2011, along with six other individuals, including Xavier Aves, 40, of San Antonio; Grant E. Bibb, 40, of Eagle Pass, Texas; Jesus Torres-Alvarez, 31, of El Paso, Texas; Paul Escobar, 31, of San Antonio; and Richard Garcia, 28, of San Antonio.
According to court documents, Castro served at different times in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves from approximately February 2007 through February 2008. He also served as a civilian contract recruiter from approximately June 2007 through October 2009.
Through the recruiting programs, a participating soldier could receive up to $2,000 in bonus payments for every person he referred to serve in the U.S. military. Castro admitted that he and others paid active duty and civilian contract recruiters for the names and Social Security numbers of potential soldiers, and then claimed that they were responsible for referring these potential soldiers to join the military, when in fact they were not.
Through this scheme, Castro and his co-conspirators obtained a total of at least $164,000 in fraudulent recruiting bonuses, which they arranged to be sent to their designated bank accounts. Castro admitted that he personally directed a total of approximately $26,000 in fraudulent recruiting bonuses to be deposited in his personal bank accounts.
Castro faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his role in the wire fraud scheme. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 27, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. before Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery.
The case against Castro arises from an investigation involving allegations that former and current soldiers in the San Antonio area engaged in a wide-ranging scheme to obtain fraudulent recruiting bonuses, which, to date, has led to charges against seven individuals.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas 2012 · Kansas
- Christopher Ferguson, Securities Fraud, New York 2020 · Ohio
- Jason Jarin, Medicaid Fraud and Illicit Transition Procedures, Texas 2023 · Texas
- Stuart C. Cole, Mail and Wire Fraud, Georgia 2013 · Florida
- Albert Davis, Wire Fraud, Missouri 2015 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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