Convicted Ponzi Schemer Arrested in Florida After Failing to Show Up for Sentencing

Convicted Ponzi schemer arrested in Florida after failing to show up for sentencing. Read about the arrest, charges, and upcoming court appearance. Learn more here.

In a case that highlights the consequences of financial fraud, a convicted Ponzi schemer was arrested in South Florida after failing to appear for his sentencing. Volodimyr Pigida, who was found guilty of 26 felony counts, including wire and mail fraud, conspiracy, and bankruptcy fraud, was arrested following an hours-long standoff with the FBI Miami. Pigida defrauded thousands of victims in his $11 million Ponzi scheme, operating a fraudulent ‘work-at-home’ email scheme named Trend Sound Promoter. After raiding the company’s accounts to purchase extravagant assets, Pigida failed to show up for his sentencing hearing in August 2023 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. As a naturalized U.S. citizen, Pigida will appear in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, where prosecutors will seek his detention and transfer to the Western District of Washington. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat financial fraud and protect victims from such schemes.

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Convicted Ponzi schemer arrested in Florida after failing to show up for sentencing

Overview of the arrest

In a recent development, a convicted Ponzi schemer named Volodimyr Pigida was arrested in South Florida after failing to appear for his sentencing hearing. The arrest took place after an hours-long stand-off with the FBI in Miami. Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the arrest.

Background on the Ponzi scheme conviction

Volodimyr Pigida, a resident of the Miami area who previously lived in Bellevue, Washington, was convicted by a jury in the Western District of Washington. He was found guilty of 26 felony counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and bankruptcy fraud, among other crimes. Pigida’s scheme involved defrauding thousands of victims out of $11 million through a fraudulent ‘work-at-home’ email scheme called Trend Sound Promoter.

Details of the sentencing hearing

On August 4, 2023, Pigida was scheduled to appear for his sentencing hearing before the district court in Seattle. However, he failed to show up for the hearing, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant. This failure to appear has serious implications for Pigida and could result in additional charges and penalties.

Failure to appear and issuance of an arrest warrant

Pigida’s failure to appear for his sentencing hearing prompted the court to issue an arrest warrant. The warrant authorized law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, to apprehend Pigida and bring him to justice. The issuance of an arrest warrant signifies the seriousness of his offense and the court’s determination to ensure that he faces the consequences of his actions.

Identity and background of Volodimyr Pigida

Volodimyr Pigida is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Ukraine. He and his wife operated the fraudulent scheme, Trend Sound Promoter, which they used to deceive victims and steal their money. Pigida’s background and citizenship status provide important context for understanding his case and the charges he faces.

Upcoming court appearance in U.S. District Court

Pigida is expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale in the coming days. This court appearance will provide an opportunity for the prosecution to present their case against him and request that he be detained and transferred to the Western District of Washington to face sentencing. The court appearance will play a crucial role in determining the next steps in Pigida’s legal proceedings.

Prosecutors’ request for detention and transfer

Prosecutors involved in Pigida’s case will likely request that he be detained and transferred to the Western District of Washington by the U.S. Marshals Service. This request is based on the serious nature of the charges against him and the need to ensure his presence in court for sentencing. Detention and transfer would help prevent Pigida from evading justice and further demonstrate the severity of his actions.

Link to the FBI wanted poster

For further information about Volodimyr Pigida and the charges against him, interested individuals can refer to the FBI wanted poster. The poster provides details about Pigida’s alleged crimes, his physical description, and any relevant information that could aid in his capture.

Prosecutor handling the case

Assistant United States Attorney Philip Kopczynski is the prosecutor handling Volodimyr Pigida’s case. As the lead prosecutor, Kopczynski is responsible for building the case against Pigida, presenting evidence in court, and advocating for the appropriate penalties and consequences for his crimes.

Press contact information for the U.S. Attorney’s Office

For media inquiries related to Pigida’s arrest and upcoming court proceedings, members of the press can contact Emily Langlie, the Communications Director for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Langlie can be reached at (206) 553-4110 or via email at Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.

Details of the arrest in South Florida

Volodimyr Pigida was apprehended in South Florida after a lengthy stand-off with the FBI. The arrest took place following his failure to appear for his sentencing hearing in Seattle. The South Florida arrest signals a major development in the case and brings Pigida one step closer to facing justice for his crimes.

Summary of the Ponzi scheme conviction

Pigida’s conviction stems from his operation of a Ponzi scheme known as Trend Sound Promoter. This scheme involved deceiving victims through a fraudulent ‘work-at-home’ email program and ultimately defrauding them of $11 million. The conviction on 26 felony counts highlights the severity of Pigida’s actions and the harm he caused to numerous individuals.

Summary of the charges against Pigida

The charges against Pigida include conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and bankruptcy fraud, among others. Each of these charges relates to specific aspects of his fraudulent scheme and the various methods he employed to deceive and defraud his victims. The extensive list of charges underscores the complexity and magnitude of his criminal activities.

Overview of Pigida’s fraudulent scheme

Pigida’s fraudulent scheme, Trend Sound Promoter, operated under the guise of a ‘work-at-home’ email program. Victims were promised lucrative earnings by sending out emails, but in reality, the scheme was designed to steal their money. Pigida and his wife exploited thousands of individuals through this scheme, taking their hard-earned money and using it to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Implications of Pigida’s failure to appear for sentencing

Pigida’s failure to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing has significant implications for his case. It raises questions about his intentions and potential efforts to evade justice. It also adds another layer of criminality to his actions, as failure to appear can result in additional charges and penalties. The court and prosecutors will undoubtedly take his absence into consideration when determining the appropriate course of action.

Issuance and implications of the arrest warrant

The issuance of an arrest warrant for Pigida underscores the seriousness of his offense and the court’s commitment to ensuring that he faces justice. The arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement agencies to apprehend Pigida and brings him before the court. It is a powerful tool to ensure that individuals like Pigida, who fail to meet their legal obligations, are held accountable for their actions.

Background and citizenship of Pigida

Volodimyr Pigida, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Ukraine, operated his fraudulent scheme within the United States. His background and citizenship status are relevant factors in understanding the extent of his operations and the jurisdiction under which he can be prosecuted. Pigida’s Ukrainian heritage adds an additional layer of complexity to his case.

Schedule of Pigida’s court appearance

Pigida’s court appearance in Fort Lauderdale will play a crucial role in his legal proceedings. The date and time of the appearance have not been specified at this time, but it will likely occur in the coming days. During the appearance, prosecutors will present their case against Pigida and argue for his detention and transfer to the Western District of Washington.

Request for detention and transfer to Washington

Prosecutors involved in Pigida’s case will request his detention and transfer to the Western District of Washington, where he was convicted. This request is based on the seriousness of the charges against him and the need to ensure his presence in court for sentencing. Detention and transfer will help prevent Pigida from further evading justice and reinforce the importance of accountability in cases of financial fraud.

Link to the FBI wanted poster for Pigida

The FBI has released a wanted poster for Volodimyr Pigida, providing additional details about his alleged crimes and physical description. Interested individuals can refer to the wanted poster to gather more information about Pigida and contribute to his apprehension by providing tips or relevant information to law enforcement agencies.

Information on the prosecuting attorney

Assistant United States Attorney Philip Kopczynski is the lead prosecutor handling Pigida’s case. Kopczynski brings his expertise in prosecuting complex financial crimes to bear on this high-profile case. As the prosecutor, Kopczynski’s role is to present the evidence against Pigida and advocate for the appropriate penalties and consequences for his crimes.

Contact information for press inquiries

For members of the media seeking information or interviews regarding Pigida’s arrest and court proceedings, they can reach out to Emily Langlie, the Communications Director for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Langlie can be contacted via phone at (206) 553-4110 or through email at Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov. Langlie is available to provide updates, answer questions, and facilitate media coverage of the case.

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