Money Laundering Scheme Cracks Down on Houston Car Dealership

A major money laundering scheme has been brought to justice in Houston, Texas. Three individuals, including a disbarred former attorney, have been convicted of participating in a bank fraud and money laundering scheme.

Howard Price Johnson, a 62-year-old former attorney from Salt Lake City, Utah, pleaded guilty to money laundering charges on December 8, 2016. Johnson was one of the key players in the scheme, which involved applying for auto loans to purchase luxury vehicles from a non-existent car dealership.

According to the investigation, Johnson and two other individuals, Jason Ryan Hall and Anissa Lavon Burdett, applied for a total of 16 auto loans worth approximately $695,741. The loans were applied for in the name of the car dealership, but no vehicles were ever purchased. The loan applications were filled with false information and supported by fake documents created by Hall.

Once the loans were funded, Hall kicked back a portion of the funds to the straw buyers, including Johnson and Burdett. The straw buyers failed to pay off the loans, causing them to default. The scheme was uncovered by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and U.S. Secret Service.

Johnson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2016. Hall and Burdett have already pleaded guilty and are set to be sentenced on December 2, 2016, and January 12, 2017, respectively. Both face the same sentence as Johnson.

The case is a major blow to organized crime in the Houston area and serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. If you have any information about this or any other crime, please contact the authorities immediately.

Howard Price Johnson, 62, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Defendant. Criminal charges: Money laundering. City and state: Houston, Texas. Date: December 8, 2016. Sentence: Up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

Defendant: Howard Price Johnson. Crime: Money laundering. State: Texas. Year: 2016. Dollar amount: $695,741. Sentence: Up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

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