The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has announced the indictment of Jalon Torres and Lisa Marie Ritter, residents of Colorado Springs, in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud student loan debtors. According to the indictment, Torres operated the Student Resolution Center, LLC, and falsely promised to reduce or eliminate student loan debt for victims in exchange for payments. It is alleged that Torres and Ritter used the proceeds from this scheme for personal gain, including the purchase of a residence and luxury vehicle. The investigation, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS-CI, and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General, resulted in the indictment of Torres and Ritter on multiple charges. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Summary of the Indictment
Jalon Torres and Lisa Marie Ritter indicted
Jalon Torres, age 45, and Lisa Marie Ritter, age 32, both of Colorado Springs, have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for their involvement in an alleged scheme to defraud student loan debtors.
Alleged scheme to defraud student loan debtors
The indictment alleges that Torres, as the registered agent for the Student Resolution Center, LLC (also known as the Student Resource Center), devised a scheme to defraud student loan debtors. He made false promises to induce them to make payments to his company, the SRC, with the claim that the payments would reduce or eliminate their student loan debt.
False promises made to induce payments
As part of the scheme, Torres and others directed by him would call victims and falsely promise to reduce or eliminate their student loan debt in exchange for a certain number of payments to the SRC.
Unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts
To carry out the scheme, Torres obtained authorization from victims to withdraw payments from their bank accounts. However, instead of withdrawing the agreed-upon amounts listed in each contract, he withdrew payments in excess of the authorized amounts.
SRC earned over $1 million
According to the indictment, the SRC earned over $1 million from hundreds of victims who fell prey to Torres’ scheme to defraud student loan debtors.
Proceeds used for personal gain
The indictment also alleges that both Torres and Ritter, his accomplice, used the ill-gotten proceeds for personal gain. They allegedly used the money to purchase a residence and a luxury vehicle.
Background Information
The background information related to this case has not been provided.
Defendants and Charges
Jalon Torres
Jalon Torres, age 45, is one of the defendants indicted in this case. He was the registered agent for the Student Resolution Center, LLC, also known as the Student Resource Center (SRC).
Lisa Marie Ritter
Lisa Marie Ritter, age 32, is the other defendant indicted in this case. Her specific role in the alleged scheme to defraud student loan debtors has not been specified.
Federal Grand Jury indictment
Both Torres and Ritter were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury, which means that a panel of citizens, after reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecutor, found enough evidence to charge the defendants with the alleged crimes. The indictment is a formal accusation that initiates the criminal proceedings against the defendants.
Timeline of the Scheme
June 2015: Scheme begins
The scheme to defraud student loan debtors began around June 2015, according to the allegations in the indictment.
False promises made to victims
As part of the scheme, Torres and others directed by him made false promises to victims, inducing them to believe that their student loan debt could be reduced or eliminated by making payments to the SRC.
Authorization obtained to withdraw payments
Victims, believing in these false promises, authorized the SRC to withdraw payments from their bank accounts.
Excess withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts
However, instead of adhering to the agreed-upon amounts listed in each contract, Torres and his cohorts withdrew payments in excess of the authorized amounts from the victims’ bank accounts.
Over $1 million earned by SRC
The SRC earned more than $1 million from hundreds of victims who fell victim to this scheme to defraud student loan debtors, as alleged in the indictment.
Proceeds used for personal gain
Both Torres and Ritter are accused of using the proceeds from the scheme for personal gain. This includes purchasing a residence and a luxury vehicle.
Arrests and Court Proceedings
Ritter’s initial appearance in Denver
Lisa Marie Ritter made her initial court appearance in Denver before United States Magistrate Judge James P. O’Hara on April 11, 2023.
Torres arrested in Florida
Jalon Torres was arrested in Florida and is currently awaiting further proceedings in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Awaiting further proceedings
The court proceedings for both defendants are ongoing, and additional updates regarding their cases will be provided at a later stage.
Investigating Agencies
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The FBI played a crucial role in investigating the alleged scheme to defraud student loan debtors carried out by Jalon Torres and Lisa Marie Ritter. Thanks to the FBI’s efforts, the evidence necessary to bring about the indictment was collected.
IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)
The IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) also worked alongside the FBI in investigating this case. Their expertise in financial crimes was invaluable in uncovering the alleged fraudulent activities related to student loan debt.
Department of Education Office of Inspector General
The Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) also participated in the investigation. Their involvement suggests that the alleged scheme to defraud student loan debtors may have had implications for federal student loan programs.
Prosecution and Attorney
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Weber
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Weber is handling the prosecution of Jalon Torres and Lisa Marie Ritter on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. AUSA Weber will present the evidence against the defendants and seek to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Presumption of Innocence
Defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty
Both Jalon Torres and Lisa Marie Ritter are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The indictments against them are merely accusations, and the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to establish their guilt in a court of law.
Case Details
Case Number: 23-cr-00113-RMR
The case number for the indictment of Jalon Torres and Lisa Marie Ritter is 23-cr-00113-RMR. This case number uniquely identifies their specific case in the court system.
Updated: April 12, 2023
The information pertaining to this case was last updated on April 12, 2023.
Contact Information
District of Colorado Main Office
For further information regarding the case, the District of Colorado Main Office can be contacted. The contact details for this office have not been provided in the given content.
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