Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charge in Connection with Series of International Fraud Scams

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

John M. Trabert Jr., 54, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on September 12, 2024.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around January 2020 through in and around March 2022 in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Trabert knowingly and unlawfully conspired with other individuals to commit money laundering by acting as a "money mule"- a person who, at someone else's direction, receives and moves money obtained from victims of fraud-in a variety of romance, real estate, and gold scams. The scheme consisted of a co-conspirator outside of the United States directing victims, who believed they were investing in real estate, gold, or financial support of a fictional love interest, to send funds to one of Trabert's bank accounts. Trabert then conducted financial transactions using proceeds of the fraud scams at the direction of and in concert with his co-conspirator, with Trabert retaining a portion of each transaction as personal profit.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Trabert.