A federal grand jury in Miami has indicted Jasen Butler, a 37-year-old Florida enterprise proprietor, on a number of counts of wire fraud, cash laundering, and forgery for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to defraud the U.S. Division of Protection and different federal companies.
Butler is accused of submitting altered and fake invoices to U.S. Navy ships by way of the SEA Card Program, which permits vessels to buy crucial gas from suppliers worldwide.
Court docket paperwork filed within the Southern District of Florida state that between August 2022 and January 2024, Butler, proprietor of Impartial Marine Oil Companies LLC in Jupiter, Florida, submitted dozens of falsified invoices to a number of U.S. warships — together with the united statesPatriot. These fraudulent invoices demanded and secured over $5 million in funds for gas bills Butler by no means incurred. The Navy ships concerned have been buying gas at worldwide ports corresponding to Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Croatia.
Butler allegedly hid his id through the use of a false title and falsely claiming to work for a fictitious gas division of one other firm. Based on the indictment, he used the fraud proceeds to counterpoint himself personally, buying a number of properties in Florida and Colorado.
“Our workplace is steadfast in its dedication to prosecute people that search to unjustly revenue on the expense of the U.S. navy,” stated U.S. Legal professional Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Such fraud undermines navy readiness and jeopardizes the devoted service members who selflessly defend our nation.”
“This indictment sends a transparent, public message: the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Power underneath President Trump is not going to relaxation till all who defraud the courageous women and men of the U.S. navy and the American taxpayers obtain swift justice,” stated Assistant Legal professional Basic Abigail A. Slater of the Justice Division’s Antitrust Division.
“Investigating advanced fraud schemes which influence U.S. Coast Guard operations is a precedence for CGIS,” stated Particular Agent in Cost Josh Packer of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Southeast Subject Workplace. “CGIS stays dedicated to working with our regulation enforcement companions to research any fraud which undermines the integrity of the Coast Guard’s provide chain.”
“Mr. Butler’s alleged involvement in unlawfully submitting fraudulent invoices associated to U.S. naval ships receiving gas throughout port visits is an affront to the warfighter and taxpayer,” stated Particular Agent in Cost Greg Gross of the Naval Felony Investigative Service (NCIS) Financial Crimes Subject Workplace. “NCIS stays dedicated to completely investigating those that commit fraud impacting the Division of Navy.”
If convicted, Butler faces as much as 20 years in jail for every wire fraud depend, as much as 10 years for every forgery depend, and as much as 10 years for every cash laundering depend. Sentencing will probably be decided by a federal decide based mostly on sentencing tips and different components.
The investigation concerned the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Protection Felony Investigative Service, and Naval Felony Investigative Service.
