S. Florida Feds Announce Sentencing Of Four Brothers In Multi-Property, Family-Run Indoor Pot Farm Operation Financed By Mortgage Fraud

From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Miami, Florida):

• Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, [and other law enforcement authorities], announced [last week's] sentencings of defendants Manuel Pupo, a/k/a Tata [sentenced to 87 months], Elieser Pupo, Serguey Pupo, Elmer Pupo, a/k/a Elmes, [each sentenced to 87 months] all formerly of Miami.

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• According to the Stipulated Factual Basis, the Pupos and their associates purchased real estate in St. Lucie, Miami-Dade, Lee, Columbia, and Marion Counties, FL, and caused mortgage companies to issue a total of 18 mortgages for the purchase of these houses, by making false representations as to material facts in the mortgage applications.

• With regards to the money laundering charges, the Pupos conspired with each other and others to conduct financial transactions involving the proceeds from the manufacturing and dealing in marijuana and mail fraud. The relevant value of the laundered funds was between $200,000 and $400,000. The Pupos used the proceeds to promote the growing of marijuana by paying the mortgages of the marijuana grow houses.

• In addition, the Pupos would give money to the[ir recruited] marijuana grow farmers and request that the farmers return the money in the form of rent checks, which would be deposited into their accounts under the guise of rental income, for the purpose of concealing and disguising the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds.

For the U.S. Attorney press release, see Miami Residents Sentenced In Marijuana Grow House, Mortgage, And Money Laundering Scheme.