A Festus man has admitted to stealing a staggering $854,544 from his employer in St. Louis, using a series of schemes to defraud his company since 2017.
Ryan S. Kent, 44, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a felony wire fraud charge in front of U.S. District Judge John A. Ross.
Kent, a maintenance supervisor at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in St. Louis, falsely sought and received reimbursement for fictitious purchases and travel. His schemes began in July 2017 and continued until his arrest.
According to his plea, Kent would buy supplies and equipment with his personal debit or credit card, then doctored the receipts to inflate the amount of the purchase before submitting them to his company.
He would also submit completely fictitious invoices and sought reimbursement for costs that he never incurred to travel to pick up parts or equipment. In some cases, Kent even bought supplies at Home Depot, returned them, and then sought reimbursement from the company.
Kent used the stolen money for personal bills, to redo his backyard, and to buy a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, and travel to Las Vegas to gamble.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Kent will also be ordered to repay the money at his sentencing hearing, scheduled for Nov. 9.
The case was investigated by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman prosecuting the case. Defendant’s real full name: Ryan S. Kent. Exact criminal charges: felony wire fraud charge. City and state: St. Louis, Missouri. Exact date: July 2017. Sentence or outcome: faces up to 20 years in prison and must repay the stolen money.
Ryan S. Kent, a 44-year-old man from Festus, will face the consequences of his actions after admitting to stealing $854,544 from his employer in St. Louis.
The defendant’s schemes were elaborate and involved multiple methods of deception, including falsifying receipts and submitting fictitious invoices.
Kent’s actions have serious consequences, not only for himself but also for his employer, who has lost a significant amount of money.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of financial accountability and the severe consequences of embezzlement.
Related Federal Cases
- Albert Davis, Wire Fraud, Kansas City, MO, 2023 · Texas
- Darrin Landes, Wire Fraud, Ballwin MO, 2023 · North Carolina
- Corey Buddle, Mail and Wire Fraud, New York 2024 · New York
- Jason J Parmeley, Wire Fraud, IL 2024 · Connecticut
- Demea Loyd, Wire Fraud, MO 2024 · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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