George Alberto Barragan, Mail Fraud, Texas 2021

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Cibolo Businessman Sentenced for Defrauding High School Students

A 46-year-old Cibolo businessman has been sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison after admitting to defrauding high school students of at least $150,000. George Alberto Barragan pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in San Antonio today.

Barragan was charged with stealing money from high school students who paid him for group travel opportunities to celebrate their graduations. The students paid Barragan by check or through an online payment portal to book the trips for them.

However, Barragan would cancel the reservations and have the refunds deposited into his bank account. He never notified his victims of the cancellations and kept communicating with them after he cancelled their trips, informing them that their travel was still taking place.

In at least two instances, large groups of students arrived at the designated time and location to begin their trip, only to find out that their trip had been cancelled. Barragan’s scheme affected no less than six different high school student groups between May 2015 and June 2018.

The FBI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung is prosecuting it on behalf of the government. Barragan remains on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio.

This case highlights the importance of vigilance when dealing with travel agencies and online payment portals. It also underscores the need for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those who commit crimes against vulnerable individuals.

George Alberto Barragan, 46, of Cibolo, Texas, has been sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison for mail fraud. The total loss to his victims was approximately $150,000. He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and is currently on bond. His sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio.