OAKLAND, CA – A former Washington D.C. Special Police Officer is facing federal charges for allegedly exploiting the tragic murder of Federal Protective Service Officer Patrick Underwood to line his own pockets. Dominic Deandre Gregory, 27, of Washington D.C., is accused of wire fraud stemming from a fraudulent online fundraising campaign.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed today, Gregory created a GoFundMe campaign claiming to raise money for Underwood’s funeral expenses. Underwood, 31, was fatally shot on May 29, 2020, while guarding the federal building in Oakland. The day after the shooting, Gregory launched the campaign, falsely representing himself as a family member of the deceased officer and pleading for donations for Underwood’s wife and children – both of which were fabrications. Underwood was unmarried and had no children.
The complaint details how Gregory set escalating fundraising goals, eventually aiming for a staggering $90,000. Even after GoFundMe deactivated the account due to suspected fraud, Gregory allegedly directed donors to an alternative payment service to continue contributing. Investigators say Gregory has no legitimate connection to the Underwood family and used the tragedy for personal gain. This isn’t just about the money; it’s about preying on grief and disrespecting a fallen officer and his actual loved ones.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California announced the charges, stemming from an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service San Francisco Field Office. Gregory is charged with wire fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The feds aren’t messing around with this kind of exploitation.
Gregory made his initial court appearance this morning before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero, who ordered his release on a $25,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for November 2, 2020, before Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley for a status conference. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Alexa Leisure are prosecuting the case.
The Secret Service, typically known for protecting dignitaries, has increasingly focused on complex financial crimes like this one. While the loss to individual donors may seem small, the cumulative impact of these scams is significant, and the emotional toll on victims is immeasurable. This case serves as a stark reminder that even in times of tragedy, predators are lurking, ready to exploit vulnerability for profit.
Related Federal Cases
- Steven Alexander Bolden, $7.2M School Computer Wire Fraud, Palmdale… · Virginia
- Carlos Djemal, International Money Laundering and Wire Fraud, Chica… · New Mexico
- Aleksandr Kovalev, Wire Fraud, California 2024 · New Mexico
- Jason J Parmeley, Wire Fraud, IL 2024 · Michigan
- Derrick Courtney Franklin II, Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Th… · Michigan
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News