Des Moines Ticket Scalper Hit with New Fraud Charges

DES MOINES, Iowa – Martin James Tirrell, 65, of Des Moines, is facing federal charges once again, accused of running a multi-million dollar wire fraud scheme while still under court supervision for a previous conviction. A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment on October 16, 2025, alleging Tirrell swindled investors out of over $1.5 million.

The scheme, according to the indictment, ran from February 2024 through January 2025. Tirrell allegedly pitched investors on a simple plan: front the money for high-demand tickets to sporting events and concerts, then resell them for a profit. Instead of following through, prosecutors say Tirrell pocketed the majority of the funds – estimated to be several million dollars total – and blew it on personal expenses, gambling debts, and propping up previous investors in a classic Ponzi-like fashion.

This isn’t Tirrell’s first rodeo with federal law enforcement. He previously served 41 months in prison for mail fraud, completing his sentence and being released in January 2023. He was on federal supervised release at the time he allegedly began this latest fraudulent operation, making the current charges all the more damning.

Investigators say the combined losses suffered by Tirrell’s victims exceed $1.5 million. The FBI took the lead on the investigation, building a case that ultimately led to the indictment. The scale of the alleged fraud suggests a calculated and prolonged effort to deceive investors, preying on their desire for quick returns.

Tirrell made his initial appearance in federal court on October 20, 2025, before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. A trial date has been set for December 1, 2025, and Tirrell will remain in federal custody pending further court proceedings. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the charges.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Tirrell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, given his history and the seriousness of the allegations, this case is likely to attract significant attention and could result in a lengthy prison sentence if he is found guilty.