DES MOINES, Iowa – The gritty streets of Earling, Iowa, witnessed a tough justice served as Mitch William Gross, 34, faced the music for his brazen wire fraud scheme.
Gross, the culprit behind an elaborate con, was sentenced on August 15, 2025, to four months in federal prison. His fraudulent antics, spanning from September 2021 to October 2022, saw him siphon off over $140,000 from his employer, Ruan Transportation Corporation.
According to court documents, Gross used business-related credit cards for personal splurges, ranging from prepaid gift cards and Pokemon cards to gaming items. His deceitful ploy involved submitting falsified receipts and mischaracterizing charges on expense reports, making his purchases appear legitimate.
The damage was substantial, with the total of fraudulent purchases reaching a staggering $146,590.15. After serving his time behind bars, Gross will be under strict surveillance for three years as part of his supervised release – no parole in sight.
But that’s not all. The judge ordered Gross to pay back every cent he had stolen, totaling $146,590.15 in restitution. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa was at the helm of this announcement.
This sordid tale was unraveled by a combined effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Des Moines Police Department, who put their investigative prowess to work to bring justice to the victims of Gross’s fraudulent shenanigans.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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