Affidavit for Arrest Warrant and Criminal Complaint — U.S. v. Albert Paul Weber, Jr. (E.D. La.)

Summary

An Affidavit in Support of Arrest Warrant and a Criminal Complaint, Criminal No. 26-mj-36, filed March 26, 2026 as Document 1 in Case 2:26-cr-00112, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, concerning Albert Paul Weber, Jr. Emily R. Keller, a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, swears to it in support of a criminal complaint and arrest warrant for alleged violations of 18 U.S.C § 1343, § 1349 and § 1956(h), among other sections. The affidavit states that from March 30, 2021, through March 25, 2025, over $3.5 million has been disbursed by at least five lenders at Weber's request. It then describes earlier investigations and examples involving Victim Lenders 1, 2 and 3.

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“Affidavit for Arrest Warrant and Criminal Complaint — U.S. v. Albert Paul Weber, Jr. (E.D. La.).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/court-filing-no-2-26-cr-00112-dkt-1-4929f1f454/, SHA-256 1f4057507c593c3806465d8a6253da59e3d82e32f469ce0970ccb8e616a0eb37.

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CRIMINAL NO. 26-mj-36

v. * SECTION: MAG

ALBERT PAUL WEBER, JR. *

* * *

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF
ARREST WARRANT AND A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

I, Emily R. Keller, being first duly sworn, hereby depose and state as follows:

AFFIANT

1. I am a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and have

been since October of 2019. My initial training consisted of an eighteen-week FBI new Agent

course during which I received instruction on various aspects of federal investigations. In addition,

I have earned both a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Master of Public and

International Affairs.

2. Currently, I am assigned to the white-collar crime squad in the New Orleans Field

Office. My duties and responsibilities include investigating complex financial crimes. Preceding

my current assignment, I worked in the Charlotte Division, Greensboro Resident Agency, for three

years. Prior to becoming a Special Agent of the FBI, I worked as a Staff Operations Specialist,

investigative analyst, for the FBI for over four years.

3. In my capacity as a Special Agent, I have been involved with numerous

investigations related to financial crimes and other violations of Title 18 of the United States Code.

I am familiar with, and have employed, investigative techniques used in these investigations.

Moreover, I am a federal law enforcement officer who is engaged in enforcing criminal laws,
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including Title 18, United States Code, Sections 875, 1028A, 1343, 1349, 1512(a)(2),

1956(a)(1)(B)(1), and 1956(h).

I. PURPOSE OF AFFIDAVIT

4. This affidavit is made in support of a criminal complaint and arrest warrant for

Albert Paul WEBER, Jr. (“WEBER” or the “SUBJECT PERSON”), date of birth May 19, 1983,

resident of Harvey, Louisiana, for violations of 18 U.S.C § 875 (interstate transmission of

threat), 18 U.S.C § 1028A (aggravated identity theft), 18 U.S.C § 1343 (wire fraud), 18 U.S.C

§ 1349 (conspiracy to commit wire fraud), 18 U.S.C § 1512(a)(2) (threatening a witness), 18

U.S.C § 1956(a)(1)(B)(1) (money laundering concealment), and 18 U.S.C § 1956(h) (money

laundering conspiracy). The statements in this affidavit are based on my personal knowledge, as

well as information I have received from other persons with knowledge of the relevant facts. Since

this affidavit is being submitted for the limited purpose of supporting a criminal complaint. I have

not included each and every fact known to me concerning this investigation.

II. FACTUAL SUMMARY

5. Since June 2023, the FBI has been conducting an investigation regarding a loan

fraud scheme facilitated by WEBER and his business, A. Weber Music & Sports Entertainment,

LLC (“Weber Music & Sports”), as well as

and other known and

unknown co-conspirators.

6. From March 30, 2021, through March 25, 2025, over $3.5 million has been

disbursed by at least five lenders at the request of WEBER, purporting to be for athletes interested

in securing “bridge loans,” a loan for the purpose of covering an athlete’s training and life expenses

between the end of their college career and a professional sports draft. Disbursements of these

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10. The FBI reviewed personal and business financial accounts WEBER, , and

their co-conspirators used to receive victim lender payments. The receipt of loan disbursements

from victim lenders into voluminous financial accounts appeared to be designed to mislead and

deceive victim lenders, conceal the source and location of the funds, and conceal WEBER’s

identity. and other co-conspirators often transferred loan funds to different accounts and

made cash withdrawals shortly after receipt of these funds from victim lenders.

11. Below are examples of individual victim lenders who were defrauded by WEBER

and , including historical instances that match many aspects of the ongoing schemes. In

addition to the 2011 and 2017 investigations involving WEBER’s athlete-related fraud, WEBER

has victimized three new victim lenders (Victim Lenders 1, 2, and 3, below) in an athlete

impersonation scheme and two victim sports agents (Victims 4 and 5 below) in a fake athlete trip

scheme.

A. Historical Pattern of Similar Fraudulent Activity by WEBER

12. According to previous FBI and JPSO investigations, WEBER was involved in

similar loan fraud schemes in 2011 and 2017.

1) 2011 JPSO Investigation into WEBER’s Athlete Fraud

13. On July 6, 2011, JPSO arrested WEBER for violations of felony theft and extortion.

WEBER provided detectives a recorded statement in which he acknowledged he received funds

from a sports agency, based in , Texas, for the recruitment of the athlete whom

WEBER never contacted or met. However, JPSO dismissed the charges due to lack of victim

cooperation.

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2) WEBER’s Leonard Fournette Scheme

14. From May 2017 through September 2020, FBI New Orleans investigated

allegations made by a victim lender, a resident of Florida, who provided

funds he believed were being disbursed to at the direction of an

individual named the athlete’s mentor. At the time, was a

football player at who was soon to be drafted to the NFL.

15. The lender traveled to New Orleans and met with an individual he believed was

, and another co-conspirator. told the victim lender that the first loan was

for to buy out his contract with his sports agent. The second loan was to pay off

individuals he described as “street guys” who had loaned money during his years as a

student at . Later, the fake requested more money which he

promised to pay back with a signing bonus from .

16. During an FBI interview of the actual , advised he did

not know . did not know the lender who reported the activity to the FBI, did not

receive any loans from this lender; and did not know the owners of the bank accounts that received

the loan disbursements from the lender.

17. The victim lender sent several transfers to three accounts not in name.

One of the account owners was , a resident of Marrero, Louisiana. During an FBI

interview of , she admitted receiving a series of wire transfers in her bank accounts

between December 2016 and January 2017. Following receipt of the wire transfers, she took the

cash from her accounts and gave it to WEBER. WEBER allowed to keep a small portion

for herself. WEBER insisted she retrieve the cash and deliver it to him as soon as the funds were

available in the accounts.

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B. Victim Lender 1 &

18. Victim Lender 1, a resident of , told the FBI that someone

impersonating and his father, , defrauded him and other

investors. The scheme involved bridge loans that the investors believed would be used to cover

training and life expenses between the end of his NCAA playing eligibility

and the 2021 NBA draft. The loans were to be repaid once he received an NBA contract and was

paid upon the start of the 2021 season.

19. The fake directed Victim Lender 1 to wire loan funds to multiple

third-party individuals, mostly located in the New Orleans area. Eventually, Victim Lender 1

learned that the individuals he communicated with were not the real .

20. As detailed below, between March 30, 2021, and July 1, 2021, Victim Lender 1

made 15 wire transfers totaling $850,000 from his accounts to bank accounts

held by , and other co-conspirators.

3) $25,000 Loan

21. In March 2021, Victim Lender 1 learned from his friend, a resident of

that was trying to secure a bridge loan for his son, ,

who was going to be a top pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Victim Lender 1’s friend owns a

business through which he mentors both college and professional athletes and provides bridge

loans.

22. Victim Lender 1 and his friend had some three-way phone calls with fake

during which Victim Lender 1 and his friend attempted to vet .

23. On March 16, 2021, email address sent an email

to Victim Investor 1’s friend with the legitimate date of birth and social security account number

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for . Email account was created several

hours before this email was sent.

24. The next day, email address sent an email to

Victim Lender 1’s friend with driver’s license number and address. The

provided address was in , Texas, a suburb of . On April 3, 2021, Victim Lender 1

was in . He told fake he wanted to meet with him in person. Fake

claimed his wife had COVID, so he was in quarantine and could not meet.

25. Victim Lender 1 drove by the address located in , Texas. Victim Lender

1 collected information from a vehicle in the driveway of the residence and confirmed it belonged

to .

26. On March 30, 2021, Victim Lender 1 made a wire transfer of $25,000 from his

account to a account held by , a co-

conspirator of WEBER and .

4) $300,000 Loan

27. Shortly thereafter, Victim Lender 1 received a phone call from someone purporting

to be . Fake claimed he started gambling in college and owed

a bookie $300,000. He claimed he was receiving threats of physical injury and was desperate to

get the bookie paid off.

28. Fake requested Victim Lender 1 wire funds to his “friends,”

claiming concerns the NCAA might investigate gambling activity if the

provided loan was sent directly to or .

29. Between March 31, 2021, and April 30, 2021, Victim Lender 1 made seven wire

transfers, totaling $325,000, to account.

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5) $200,000 Loan

30. Next, fake asked Victim Lender 1 for additional loans, claiming

he would terminate current agency relationship with and have

Victim Lender 1 represent him instead. Victim Lender 1 was previously a certified NFL Player

Agent.

31. After signing an agreement to represent , Victim Lender 1 made

subsequent loans based on a fraudulent email purporting to be from , advising they

would no longer represent upon receipt of funds to buy out s contract

and reimburse them for advanced training expenses.

32. On June 7, 2021, Victim Lender 1 sent the following email to

referencing an additional request for $200,000 to buy out

s contract with :

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Email account was created four days prior to the receipt of the

above email, on June 3, 2021. The IP address used to create that account was in New Orleans.

33. On June 8, 2021, email address sent the following

email to Victim Lender 1, with fake “written proposal.”

Email account was created one day prior to the date the above

email was sent, on June 7, 2021.

34. On June 9, 2021, fake signed an agreement confirming he owed

Victim Lender 1 $750,000 based on prior loans provided to him by Victim Lender 1 and was

requesting $200,000 to repay for funds advanced for ’s benefit. Fake

agreed to pay the $200,000 directly to . Within 7 days of being provided

the $200,000 loan, agreed to pay Victim Lender 1 for the previously provided loans.

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35. This agreement was notarized in Orleans Parish. In an email sent to Victim

Lender 1 on June 9, 2021, fake provided the tracking number for the agreement

that he mailed to Victim Lender 1.

36. On June 10, 2021, Victim Lender 1 made two $50,000 wire transfers, totaling

$100,000, from his account to account and

account. is a co-conspirator of WEBER and .

37. On June 11, 2021, Victim Lender 1 made one wire transfer in the amount of $50,000

from his account to account. Following this

transfer, withdrew $45,000 in cash from this account.

38. On the same date, Victim Lender 1 made one wire transfer in the amount of $50,000

from his account to account,

is a co-conspirator of WEBER and

6) $300,000 Loan

39. On June 24, 2021, email address sent the

following email to Victim Lender 1, referencing a request for an additional loan in the amount of

$300,000.

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Email account was created on June 24, 2021, one week before the

above email was sent to Victim Lender 1.

42. On July 1, 2021, Victim Lender 1 made three $100,000 wire transfers, totaling

$300,000, from his account to account,

account, and account. From these funds, between July 2

and July 8, 2021, three separate cash withdrawals, each $30,000, were made from

account. From these funds, in July 2021, made two transfers to WEBER’s

CashApp 2 account, totaling $4,000, and four cash withdrawals, totaling $84,000, from

Chase Bank account.

2
CashApp is a mobile application for peer-to-peer money transfers and payments.
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43. On July 15, 2021, Victim Lender 1 sent an email to email addresses

and stating: “You guys need to

wire me at least $50,000 of the $1,050,000 you owe me by no later than noon tomorrow, July 16,

2021…That money was supposed to be paid in full by no later than July 6, 2021 which you failed

to pay.” He further explained, “When you sign Promissory Notes and Contracts that have specific

due dates, that is when payments have to be made.”

44. Victim Lender 1 advised FBI Agents that he encouraged and

to apply for a line of credit from a different lender so they could pay back Victim

Lender 1 for loans he made on their behalf.

45. On July 26, 2021, fake provided Victim Lender 1 the following

line of credit letter on Bank’s letterhead, whereby Bank confirmed

would be provided a $20 million line of credit by August 2, 2021.

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46. On July 27, 2021, Victim Lender 1 sent an email to email addresses

and through which he

informed them the line of credit letter was not a standard line of credit letter.

47. In the below text messages on June 28, 2021 between Victim Lender 1 and fake

, using telephone number , fake assured

Victim Lender 1 he would pay back the loans. Telephone number is the same

telephone recorded with Google as the recovery telephone number for email address

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Text message sent from Victim Lender 1:
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requested sign all three documents in front of a notary public and ship them

back via next day air to him. A forged signature of s name was on these documents.

The documents were notarized in Jefferson Parish.

50. The fake mailed documents to Victim Lender 1 via the United

Parcel Service (“UPS”). The mailing label, dated October 11, 2021, had a return address of 1516

Harvey Boulevard, Harvey, Louisiana 70058. Based on online searches, the address does not

appear to exist.

51. On October 11, 2021, email address sent Victim

Lender 1 two emails. One contained an image of a Texas driver’s license purportedly belonging

to , and one contained an image of a Texas driver’s license purportedly

belonging to . The information on the licenses was accurate, but the photos on

the licenses appeared to have been obtained from the Internet. Email account

was created 12 days before the driver’s license photos were sent

to Victim Lender 1, on September 29, 2021.

52. Victim Investor 1 advised FBI Agents that switched his

telephone number and email address several times, claiming other NBA agents were repeatedly

contacting him. After the receipt of the fraudulent licenses, Victim Lender 1 did not loan the fake

any more funds.

53. After one of the wire transfers Victim Lender 1 made to for disbursement of

loan, Victim Lender 1 called via her telephone number The

purpose of his call was to confirm was a friend of ’s. spoke with him. After

realizing the loans to the were part of a scam, Victim Lender 1 contacted via

his telephone number . Victim Lender 1 spoke with , who claimed he was

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59. On June 9, 2023, $750,000 was transferred via wire from Victim Lender 2’s

account to a brokerage account held in ’s name. Three days later

$350,000 was transferred via wire from ’s account to

account. Between June 12, 2023, and July 11, 2023, three transfers totaling $310,000 were made

from account to WEBER’s Capital One Bank account.

60. On August 18, 2023, $1,085,000 was transferred via wire from Victim Lender 2’s

account to ’s brokerage account. Four days later, on August 22,

2023, $430,000 was transferred from ’s account to

account, which opened weeks earlier, on August 1, 2023.

61. Victim Lender 2 advised FBI Agents that he became concerned with the deal after

did not follow-up on the servicing agreement. Eventually, fake ceased

communications with Victim Lender 2.

2) FBI Interview of

62. During an FBI interview of real , advised Agents that his high

school coach was approached by an individual who identified himself as Chris Smitch (“Smitch”).

Smitch claimed to be a reporter for Sports Illustrated and wanted to do an article on .

Around July or August 2022, was in school at . Smitch told

that he was going to drive to from to give cash.

Smitch stated the cash would be for joining a “company.” did not physically

meet with Smitch.

63. Smitch set up a Zoom meeting with the “company.” The meeting involved Smitch,

two unidentified black males, and a white male. did not see Smitch’s face because he

pointed his camera towards the ceiling. One of the unidentified black males in the meeting’s name

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was “Albert.” FBI Agents showed two unlabeled photos of WEBER.

believed one of the black males in the meeting looked like WEBER.

64. sent Smitch a photo of his driver’s license via text message.

may have told Smitch his social security number. never signed documents or received

any money. He did not use email address .

3) IP Address Analysis

65. According to records obtained from DocuSign, 4 on February 16, 2023, used

IP address 98.164.119.56 to electronically sign a document titled “ Lease Agreement

Addendum to sign, pdf.” On March 29, 2023, using the same IP address, 98.164.119.56, “

” electronically signed a document titled “ .pdf,” originated by

an entity in , New Jersey. The signature was captured on a mobile device. On the same

day, received a wire transfer of $75,000 into her account from the entity that originated

the DocuSign document.

66. According to records obtained from CashApp, on April 22, 2023, WEBER’s

CashApp account was accessed with an iPhone utilizing IP address 172.59.104.100. On May 16,

2023, “ ,” used the same IP address, 172.59.104.100, to electronically sign a

document titled “Client Relationship Summary | ” through DocuSign. The

signature was captured on a mobile device. The document originated by an entity in ,

California.

4
DocuSign is an electronic signature and digital transaction management platform that allows
users to sign, send, and manage documents online.
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72. Of the funds sent by Victim Lender 3, in March 2026, a account

controlled by WEBER’s , received three transfers, totaling

$15,000, from account.

73. After receiving the first two loans, the suspect requested a third loan in the amount

of $200,000 from Victim Lender 3, in May 2025.

74. On May 13, 2025, the same notary, , met with a male who claimed he was

and provided identification. was

accompanied by a female, who identified as . Both

and endorsed loan documents with their signatures. The notary

recognized as the same individual who identified as during their previous

meetings. The notary left the location and immediately notified Victim Lender 3 of possible

fraudulent activity. Victim Lender 3 contacted law enforcement, and JPSO

Investigators ultimately determined the and information was used to obtain

the fraudulent loans.

1) JPSO Interview of Notary

75. During an JPSO interview of the notary, , she described how she previously

met the same black male on two separate occasions. On March 5, 2025, they met at Nobuko located

at 1901 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey, Louisiana 70058. On March 16, 2025, they met at the

Raising Canes located at 1735 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey, Louisiana 70058. At each meeting

the black male identified himself as . believed, based on the photo

identification provided by the suspect, that she was in fact speaking with .

76. On May 13, 2025, met with the same black male a third time at his

residence located at , where she observed a white SUV parked in the

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garage. Plauche stated the same black male from the previous March 5 and March 16 meetings,

who she knew as , identified himself as and was accompanied by a black

female, who identified herself as .

2) JPSO Arrest of Weber and

77. JPSO Investigators organized a meeting between and the individuals

purporting to be the , to sign additional documents to process the third loan. On May

16, 2025, Investigators set up surveillance at the meeting location, Raising Canes located at 1735

Manhattan Boulevard. Shortly thereafter, WEBER arrived in a white 2018 Bentley Bentayga, and

arrived in a gray 2016 Mazda CX-9. JPSO Investigators arrested WEBER and for

violations of bank fraud, theft of $250,000, and forgery.

78. At the time of their arrests, WEBER and were each in possession of an Apple

iPhone. JPSO seized both cell phones. FBI later seized and searched both cell phones pursuant to

search warrant 25-mc-2241, signed by the Honorable Magistrate Judge Eva Dossier on November

13, 2025.

3) WEBER Confessions to Scheme

79. During a recorded JPSO interview of WEBER, WEBER confessed to using

and s information without their permission to obtain fraudulent loans for his

personal benefit. WEBER admitted he persuaded to use her bank account on the loan

documents to receive the funds. WEBER also admitted to meeting on multiple occasions

at several different locations in Jefferson Parish. WEBER also made several false statements to

JPSO Investigators.

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80. WEBER, who described himself as a sports consultant, advised that last year

, WEBER’s longtime friend, introduced WEBER to , who works in

finance. Both and reside in Florida.

81. WEBER claimed that one year ago, he received a $1 million loan for . The

money was sent to and , after they opened an account for . Instead of

taking a commission from the funds, they took the money and disbursed it to someone else.

WEBER claimed that gave him around $10,000 or $15,000 through CashApp and sent

money to , then stopped communicating with WEBER. WEBER falsely claimed

received some of the funds from this loan.

82. WEBER advised he was trying to recruit . He was talking with ’s

parents, . Later in the interview, WEBER admitted to calling

several times. WEBER claimed he changed his phone number often because he wanted to get in

with . When he called, WEBER did not want to use his name, because

would say he did not want his services.

83. WEBER admitted he was trying to get a loan from Victim Lender 3 while

purporting to be . WEBER pretended to be when he met with the notary

and presented identification. WEBER admitted that he did not have permission to

request a loan on behalf of or . He admitted the loan he took out on

’s behalf with Victim Lender 3 was to benefit WEBER at the present time. He planned to get

the business from the lender, pay back the previous loan from the year prior, and then tell the

family the truth and connect them with Victim Lender 3.

84. WEBER first met with the notary a couple months ago to secure the first loan he

applied for from Victim Lender 3 for . He used real house as

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collateral and fake identification with information. The lender deposited maybe

$100,000 into ’s account. The funds from this loan were gone.

85. WEBER planned to meet the same notary at Raising Canes to sign a paper. He used

’s name as the applicant for the loan and ’s house as collateral. WEBER

planned to tell he found another way to get a loan. When he met with the notary, he

pretended to be . A picture of WEBER’s face was on ’s Florida

identification. When he signed the loan papers, he signed ’s name.

86. WEBER advised JPSO Investigators that he was going to pay back the loan to

Victim Lender 3 with funds from other deals with other people who would be “legit.”

87. WEBER admitted he made a mistake: “100% of the story. I fucked up. I made up.

It was a good intention play but the way I went about it, it didn’t look good. I’m not here to lie to

you, I don’t want to lie. I don’t want to go to jail.”

88. WEBER described as his “girlfriend” and “baby mama.” He uses her bank

account.

89. WEBER claimed he tried to make an honest living and said this is the first time he

has ever done this.

4) JPSO Interview of

90. During a JPSO interview of , she confessed to creating a fraudulent

identification for the purpose of meeting with the notary; admitted to allowing WEBER to use her

bank account to receive funds; and provided several false statements to JPSO Investigators.

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91. Since 2019, has owned an online clothing boutique, . Throughout the

interview, referred to WEBER as Chris Jones (“Jones”). 6 She claimed she met Jones, whom

she is dating, through a dating app. She said she has known him for over a year. JPSO Investigators

showed a picture of WEBER, whom she identified as Jones.

92. claimed that at Jones’s direction, she allowed Jones to use her bank

account at . She remembered receiving two deposits into her account, totaling over

$200,000. From these funds, Jones let her keep $5,000 to $10,000. She withdrew maybe $100,000

in cash and gave it to WEBER in an envelope.

93. advised that this money is no longer in her bank account. She explained that

the money was not hers. She was just doing Jones a favor because Jones allegedly did not have a

bank account.

94. falsely told JPSO Investigators that she has never been to

WEBER’s house. 7 Instead, they went to Harrah’s a lot together, since he liked to gamble. She

stated that he drove a white Bentley.

95. admitted to signing name on paperwork, on May 13, 2025.

She advised that she paid someone on the Internet to create an identification for .

6
In several different parts of WEBER’s scheme, he has used an alias beginning with “Chris.” For
example, WEBER pretended to be “Chris Smitch” in the part of the fraud described
above in Part III(C), and WEBER pretended to be “Chris Robert” in a more recent portion of his
athlete scheme, described below in Part III(E).
7
Not only did WEBER admit that they were romantically involved, but previously
described WEBER as her boyfriend during a domestic disturbance. On October 3, 2016, JPSO
Officers were dispatched to Kenner, Louisiana 70065 in reference to a
disturbance. Officers arrived on scene and spoke with , who advised that she found her
boyfriend, WEBER, with another woman, and a verbal altercation ensued.
Moreover, on May 16, 2025, JPSO executed a search warrant at WEBER’s residence,
Hyde Park Avenue. Prescription medication for was found in WEBER’s residence as well as
a T-Mobile envelope addressed to at Hyde Park Avenue.
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She exclaimed, “I hate that I fucking did this.” She explained Jones told her she needed to sign the

documents to release the money. She acknowledged that it did not feel right.

96. During ’s interview, JPSO Investigators asked permission to enter her

passcode into her cell phone. She agreed and provided her passcode. When JPSO Investigators

reviewed her contacts in her cell phone, WEBER’s cell phone number was identified as being

saved as “partner in crime.” stated, “that looks bad.” She claimed her daughter saved Jones’s

phone number under that name in her cell phone.

5) JPSO Search of Vehicles

97. On May 16, 2025, JPSO executed a search warrant of the white 2018 Bentley

Bentayga. Investigators identified the Louisiana Registration for the vehicle belonging to WEBER.

JPSO seized the vehicle, and FBI later seized pursuant to search warrant 25-mc-1429, signed by

the Honorable Magistrate Judge Eva Dossier on July 14, 2025.

98. On May 16, 2025, JPSO executed a search warrant of ’s vehicle, a gray 2016

Mazda CX-9. Investigators seized glue/spray adhesive and laminate paper with images of a

fraudulent Florida driver's license containing and information, but

with photographs of and WEBER.

6) Bond/Release Paperwork

99. After WEBER and were arrested, they were released on bond in Jefferson

Parish. WEBER signed a bond on July 14, 2025, and signed a bond on July 15, 2025.

100. The appearance bond for both WEBER and included the following sworn

statement: “As a condition of bond, you are ordered to refrain from the violation of any federal,

state, parish, or local laws…. Noncompliance with this order may result in your being found in

contempt of court, punishable by up to 6 months in parish prison.”

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E. Federal Civil Complaint Exposing WEBER’s Scheme

101. As detailed above in paragraph 97, JPSO seized WEBER’s Bentley, and FBI later

took possession of the Bentley from JPSO on July 14, 2025, pursuant to a court-ordered seizure

warrant. On September 16, 2025, WEBER contacted FBI to inquire about submitting a claim for

the returns of the Bentley. On September 27, 2025, WEBER submitted a claim under the Civil

Asset Forfeiture Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 983, but WEBER did not sign it under penalty of perjury.

On October 14, 2025, WEBER submitted an amended and signed claim for the Bentley.

102. On January 12, 2026, the government filed a complaint for in rem forfeiture of the

Bentley. See United States v. 2018 Bentley Bentayga, VIN SJAAC2ZVXJC018187, 26-cv-72“I,”

Dkt. No. 1 (E.D.La. Jan. 12, 2026). The complaint named WEBER and and described the

FBI investigation into WEBER’s athlete impersonation scheme. See id. at 3-8. The complaint

sought forfeiture of the Bentley because it was purchased with the proceeds of wire fraud, in

violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956. Id. at 8-9.

The Court granted the government’s motion to stay that civil action. Id., Dkt. #9.

F. New Crimes While on Bond from Jefferson Parish

103. WEBER has continued to run new versions of impersonation schemes involving

athletes, continuing after he was arrested by JPSO in May of 2025 and released on bond. This

conduct continued even after WEBER started contacting FBI in September of 2025 after WEBER

learned that FBI had seized his Bentley based on its connection to federal crimes.

1) Fake Trip Scheme

104. On March 20, 2026, Affiant learned of a complaint filed with the FBI by an

based sports agent (“Victim 4”), involving WEBER, and Affiant interviewed Victim 4. Victim 4

helps basketball players travel to foreign countries to play basketball games, including in a

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league during the NBA offseason, so that aspiring and professional basketball players

can gain exposure to teams and coaches from multiple professional leagues. In July 2025, a college

coach introduced him to “Chris Robert,” whom Victim 4 later learned was WEBER.

105. WEBER, posing as “Chris Robert,” told Victim 4 that he trained basketball players

and asked Victim 4 to help him organize a trip for basketball players to in September

2025. Victim 4 agreed to handle the travel logistics related to this trip, if WEBER managed athlete

recruitment.

106. An associate of Victim 4, a sports agent (“Victim 5”), sent funds

to one of WEBER’s associates on behalf of his athlete clients for “Chris Robert’s” trip.

107. On March 23, 2026, Victim 5 told FBI that between August and November 2025

he sent approximately $45,000 to cover the fees for five of his basketball athlete clients to

participate in the trip with “Chris Robert.” At the direction of “Chris Robert,” Victim 5 sent

approximately $42,000 to through CashApp and about $3,000 to

(WEBER’s coconspirator) through Apple Pay. Originally, the trip was planned for

September 2025, then it was moved to October 2025, and then moved again to late December 2025

or early January 2026. Victim 5 later learned from Victim 4 that the trip had never been planned.

108. Victim 4 advised the FBI that “Chris Robert” said he would refund the payments

he received on behalf of athletes but kept pushing back his payback date. At one point, “Chris

Robert” said someone named “Paul in the streets” could deliver approximately $40,000 to $50,000

in cash to Victim 4 to pay back the athletes’ funds.

109. Victim 4 sent text messages to , but she never responded. However,

after Victim 4 messaged , “Chris Robert” called immediately and asked Victim 4

to stop calling .

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110. Victim 4 advised the FBI that a Houston-based athlete, who had a prior relationship

with Victim 4, advised Victim 4 that WEBER, purporting to be “Chris Robert,” used a Gmail

account containing Victim 4’s name. The Houston athlete told Victim 4 that he also sent funds to

, after “Chris Robert” sent the Houston athlete a contract to play for a professional

team in . The Houston athlete later realized the contract was fraudulent. Previously, the

Houston athlete and his father spoke on the phone with “Chris Robert,” and the father, who is from

the same area in Louisiana as WEBER, recognized personal information “Chris Robert” provided

about himself. The Houston athlete’s father determined “Chris Robert” was in fact, WEBER.

111. In October 2025, Victim 4 learned from a Florida-based athlete that “Chris Robert”

was adding additional charges to the overseas trip, charges Victim 4 had not approved or discussed

with “Chris Robert.” In response, Victim 4 called “Chris Robert” and told him that adding extra

fees to the trip was fraud and he planned to report “Chris Robert” to police and cooperate with a

law enforcement investigation against “Chris Robert.” Later in the month, Victim 4 had another

conversation with “Chris Robert.” He told “Chris Robert” that he would report “Chris Robert’s”

activity to law enforcement since “Chris Robert” violated federal laws.

2) Threats to Victims / Witnesses

112. On March 23, 2026, Victim 4 sent the FBI the following voice calls he recorded

with WEBER, purporting to be “Chris Robert.” The voice of “Chris Robert” in these recordings

matches the voice of WEBER from the JPSO recorded interview. During the course of several

calls from November 2025 through March 2026, WEBER sought to convince and then threaten

his victims to send WEBER more money, and WEBER also threatened physical violence to

prevent the victims from telling others about WEBER’s scheme.

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113. On November 21, 2025, a three-way call took place among Victim 4, Victim 5, and

WEBER, purporting to be “Chris Robert,” in which WEBER sought additional funds. Victim 4

expressed concern over additional fees added to the athletes’ total trip costs that “Chris Robert”

did not discuss with him. Victim 4 explained he and “Chris Robert” originally agreed for “Chris

Robert” to receive $1,500 for planning the trip, but “Chris Robert” asked for Victim 5 to pay him

a one-time fee of $7,500 to cover the time he spent working with the athletes. After that, “Chris

Robert” planned to pay the Victim 5 back and stop planning the trip. Victim 4 refused to pay “Chris

Robert” $7,500 because this was not part of their initial agreement and “Chris Robert” owed

Victim 5 money.

114. On December 8, 2025, a voice call took place between Victim 4 and WEBER as

“Chris Robert,”: 8

a. During this phone call, WEBER told Victim 4 that he was not arranging for any

money to be paid back to Victim 5 until Victim 5 paid “Chris Robert” $7,500.

During this call, WEBER, purporting to be “Chris Robert,” said that he had people

in Victim 5’s hometown and would hurt Victim 5 if anyone contacted WEBER’s

co-conspirators about the scheme. WEBER then threatened both Victim 4 and

Victim 5, with particular focus on Victim 5, who WEBER believed “stirred up” the

trouble WEBER was facing, if WEBER did not receive an additional $7,500.

i. “I’m telling you if somebody approach or

with some fake shit once they give me a call and let me know that was going

on, I’m gonna knock [Victim 5’s] head off. I’m telling you that. I got

8
The full voice call is not captured in the recording, which appears to only be a partial recording,
which lasted over 18 minutes.
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somebody right in this town that going touch em. Do not approach them

about me they don’t have nothing to do with this…I’m telling you this

and you could record this, the day somebody approaches them about

some shit they don’t know about, I’m gonna knock [Victim 5’s] head

off. I’m telling you. I’m gonna knock his fucking head off.”

ii. “I’m gonna get to him if he if he approach or about any

of this. I’m gonna knock [Victim 5’s] head off I’m telling you in the

broad daylight. I’m telling you.”

iii. “This is what is going to happen bro. You don’t know me. You never seen

me. I never seen you. I’m going find both of y’all. I’m going get to y’all.

I’m going get to [Victim 5] for sure. For him the one who stirred up this

shit. I’m going to get to him. I’m going to get to him. And see him and

let him know how I feel about the situation the way the games y’all playing

if y’all don’t feel y’all don’t owe me no $7,500 for all the work I put in.

Fuck both of y’all.”

iv. “I don’t know you. I don’t know [Victim 5]. But I’m going to get to

[Victim 5]. Trust me bro. Trust me. I got gangsters right in his town.

Right in his town. I’m telling you bro I’m gonna get my money one way

or other. I’m telling you bro. You’re You’re You’re going to be involved

with this shit if I don’t get my money.”

v. “I’m gonna get to [Victim 5] if you don’t give me my fucking money. I,

I’ve got gangsters right in his town that could touch him.”

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vi. “If he (referencing Victim 5) want to get on some gangster shit. I’ve got

gangsters right there in his town that could come see him. He not going

to be able to move. When I put on the dogs. I’m come and get him. I’m

telling you I want my money.”

115. On or around March 4, 2026, “Chris Robert” sent the messages shown in the below

screenshot of a text message thread between Victim 4, “Chris Robert,” , and

(Victim 4’s text messages are highlighted in green), threatening Victim 5 (redacted as

“V.5”):

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Case 2:26-cr-00112-DJP-EJD Document 1 Filed 03/26/26 Page 36 of 37

117. Reviews of financial records related to Victim Lender 3’s loan disbursements,

identified as a recipient of funds obtained through fraudulent means after WEBER

purported to be .

118. Information received by the FBI in 2014 cited similar fraudulent activity. Three

complainants alleged WEBER contacted athletes and offered to assist them with travel to play

sports internationally. WEBER allegedly requested and received more than $8,000 from athletes.

One of the complainants alleged that he sent funds to WEBER’s “assistant,” .

WEBER did not use the money for travel purposes and failed to pay the athletes back.

119. Additionally, another report to FBI connected WEBER to , who was

also involved in WEBER’s recent scheme to defraud Victim 4 and Victim 5.

120. On March 25, 2022, the mother of basketball player made a report

to the FBI alleging someone named attempted to secure a loan for her husband.

This matched a scheme that another of WEBER’s victims, , reported weeks later.

121. On June 8, 2022, (previously mentioned in JPSO’s interview of WEBER

in the scheme, described above in paragraphs 80-81), told the FBI that he was defrauded by

someone posing as parents needing to borrow money. Ultimately,

claimed he was scammed out of $100,000.

122. alleged he met a “mule” of , named , in

person in , Florida at ’s home. handed $17,500 in

cash. A review of financial records by FBI revealed that, between March 18 and May 9, 2022,

sent six transfers, totaling $30,050, via Zelle to

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