Nine Members of Multi-State Money Laundering Organization Charged in Wide-Ranging Conspiracy

NASHVILLE — The United States yesterday unsealed an indictment in Nashville, Tennessee, charging nine members of a multi-state money laundering organization responsible for laundering millions of dollars derived from internet fraud, including business email compromise schemes.

According to court documents, Samson A. Omoniyi, 43, also known as Dada, Dadaman81, and Mr D; Misha L. Cooper, 50, also known as Misha Brookings, Misha Harris, and Misha L. Brookins; Robert A. Cooper, 66; Carlesha L. Perry, 36, also known as D Man; Whitney D. Bardley, 30; Lauren O. Guidry, 32, also known as Mommy; Caira Y. Osby, 44, also known as Solomon Amanti; Dazai S. Harris, 34; and Edward D. Peebles, 35, were charged with conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

As alleged in the indictment, the defendants were members of a money laundering organization, which has been in existence in and around Tennessee, Texas, and elsewhere, since approximately November 2016. The conspiracy allegedly relied on a structured organization where recruiters – referred to as “herders” – recruited and instructed participants — referred to as “money mules” — to launder proceeds derived from internet frauds that targeted businesses and individuals in the United States and abroad. The defendants allegedly used sham and front companies to conceal the fraud proceeds and enrich the members of the conspiracy. The conspiracy is alleged to have agreed to launder more than $20 million in fraud proceeds.

Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

The defendants each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

FBI’s Nashville Field Office and Salt Lake City Field Office, Boise Resident Agency are investigating the case. FBI’s Forensic Accountant Support Team provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Carran Daughtrey for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Kenneth Kaplan and Jasmin Salehi Fashami of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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