A 52-year-old foreign national has pleaded guilty to his role in a two-year, multimillion-dollar trade-based money laundering conspiracy to move drug trafficking proceeds through Texas to Mexico.
Luis Francisco Gonzalez, 52, of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.
According to court documents, Gonzalez was involved in a money laundering scheme that facilitated the transfer of illicit proceeds from Mexico to the United States, using a network of money brokers and other individuals in Texas and Mexico.
The scheme involved the exchange of cash for pesos, which were then used to purchase goods and services in Mexico, allowing the illicit proceeds to be laundered and invested in legitimate businesses.
As part of his plea agreement, Gonzalez has agreed to forfeit $1.5 million in proceeds from the money laundering scheme.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the El Paso Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Gross in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
The case is a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by international money laundering schemes, which allow drug cartels and other organized crime groups to launder their illicit proceeds and invest in legitimate businesses.
The U.S. Department of Justice will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these schemes, and bring those responsible to justice.
Gonzalez’s guilty plea is a significant victory for law enforcement and a testament to the bravery and dedication of the agents and prosecutors who worked on this case.
The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to protecting the financial integrity of our country and ensuring that those who engage in money laundering and other financial crimes are held accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- Stefano Guido Vitale, $23M Fraud and Money Laundering, AZ 2024 · Texas
- West Seneca Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy · Missouri
- James Robert Smith, Money Laundering, Alaska 2023 · Alaska
- Emeka Nnawuba, Money Laundering, Arkansas 2024 · New York
- Dinesh Sah, Wire-Fraud and Money-Laundering, Texas 2024 · California
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source â†â€â€ÂÂ
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