FBI Houston: 53 indicted in wire fraud scheme linked to bail bonds, 3 wanted
HOUSTON - A massive bail bond scheme led to the indictment of 53 Houston-area residents on Wednesday, with 50 in custody and three still wanted by the Houston FBI.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, more than 50 Houston-area residents were indicted in a wire fraud scheme to use false documents to get bail bonds for those charged with criminal offenses. Fifty suspects were placed in custody.
2022 RELATED STORY: FBI agents raid Houston bail company accused of charging substantially low bonds
The charges range from conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and crimes by or affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance.
List of defendants can be seen below.
According to the FBI, there are three remaining fugitives with outstanding arrests involved in the case: Tawana Jones, 44, Houston; Pamela Yoder, 60, Detroit, Michigan; and Amir Khan, 60, Pakistan.
Court documents state employees of AABLE Bonds, a bail bonds company located in Houston, conspired to falsify and obtain falsified co-signer financial reports so individuals with criminal offenses who would not meet the terms of their bonds, would be able to qualify.
Eleven individuals charged in Harris County with criminal offenses obtained bonds based on those falsified documents.
Mary Brown and Oscar Wattell were employees of AABLE Bonds and allegedly recruited co-signers to represent working at companies or had earned incomes. The co-conspirators then allegedly lied about this information on financial reports since the co-signers did not work at the companies or earn represented incomes, the indictment states.
Sheba Muharib, the CEO of AABLE Bonds and agent of Financial Casualty & Surety is charged with allegedly affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance, the U.S. Attorney's Office stated. Muharib allegedly knew Wattell had a criminal felony conviction in the past for dishonesty while engaging in the business of insurance.
In 2022, FOX 26's Randy Wallace reported on the same bail bonds company after they were accused of charging substantially low bond amounts, which helped some high-profile murder cases. They were known for charging less than 10 percent of the bond amount and even offering payment plans, which has helped some high-profile murder cases.
Massive wire fraud bust by FBI in Houston
FBI Houston is searching for three people connected to a massive bust involving a downtown Houston bail bond company. Fifty people have already been arrested and the same company was raided by the FBI in 2022. FOX 26's Leslie DelasBour has more details on what we know so far.
FBI agents and members of the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force spent hours at AABLE Bail Bonds taking boxes and boxes of files.
The agency partnered with Houston police, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety to conduct dozens of arrests.
If convicted, each individual faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for the wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges. Muharib could receive up to five years in prison and a $250,000 possible fine upon his conviction.
FBI Houston says tactical teams from their office and FBI offices in San Antonio and New Orleans, as well as the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston Police Department, and Texas DPS, are also assisting.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the remaining three fugitives is asked to contact the Houston FBI at 713-693-5000.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.