Six people in the St. Louis area have been indicted in a federal scheme that prosecutors say used stolen identities, fake websites, inflated payrolls and bogus paperwork to siphon at least $8.3 million from pandemic relief programs.
Federal charges allege the group submitted at least 40 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications between March 2020 and December 2024, securing roughly $8.3 million in relief funds. Three of the six defendants were arrested on Friday, and the indictment details roles, payments and documents tied to the scheme. Authorities say the fraud targeted programs designed to keep small businesses afloat during the pandemic.
The indictment names Raymond Porter Jr., 64, of St. Louis, indicted on 28 felonies including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of aggravated identity theft and four counts of money laundering. David Holmon, 54, of Olivette, faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of money laundering. The five other defendants charged are Monica Butler, 59; Dana Kelly, 47; Alexander Sampson, 39; and Latrice Davis, 40, with varying counts for fraud, identity theft and money laundering.
Prosecutors say Porter and Holmon prepared and filed fraudulent loan applications for their own enterprises and on behalf of other businesses, often collecting 10 to 20 percent of approved loan proceeds as supposed fees for equipment or consulting. Those payments were then funneled to accomplices, including payments to Davis, according to the indictment. The scheme allegedly relied on layers of concealment to hide the true beneficiaries.
To win loans, the conspirators reportedly impersonated business owners, used stolen personal information and, where needed, created fake websites and business email accounts. They allegedly submitted inflated payroll numbers, forged financial documents and sometimes registered sham companies with the state to create a paper trail. In at least some cases, the indictment says they also filed falsified federal tax documents through a tax preparation business.
Financials in the indictment spell out distribution of proceeds: Porter and Holmon are accused of directly receiving more than $1.4 million, plus about $900,000 in preparer fees. Butler reportedly received more than $1 million in loan proceeds tied to the scheme, while Kelly and Sampson obtained nearly $400,000 combined, and Davis received more than $95,000. Investigators say the money paid for cars, personal debts, home renovations, designer goods and expenses for other businesses.
“Since 2020, IRS-Criminal Investigation has investigated thousands of instances of alleged waste, fraud and abuse of CARES Act programs,” said St. Louis Field Office Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. “These programs were meant to provide economic stability to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. When someone uses fraudulent means to gain access to government funds they’re not entitled to, we take that very seriously and will investigate the allegations to the fullest extent to bring the fraudsters to justice.”
“The alleged scheme involved submitting fraudulent loan applications on behalf of others as a paid service,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The perpetrators allegedly submitted dozens of false loan documents to bilk millions of dollars from the taxpayer-funded pandemic relief programs.” The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the HHS Office of Inspector General worked the probe, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting the case.
Charges outlined in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case also intersects with broader federal efforts: on April 7, the Department of Justice announced the National Fraud Enforcement Division to focus on theft and misuse of taxpayer funds.
The Justice Department framed the new fraud division as part of a wider push tied to President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, aimed at cutting waste and abuse in federal benefit programs. From a Republican perspective, officials say this kind of enforcement matters because pandemic programs were critical lifelines for legitimate small businesses and must be defended from organized abuse. Prosecutors now say they will follow the money and seek accountability for those accused of recruiting others into the scheme.
