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Press Release

Two Kentucky Men Charged With Scheming To Obtain Millions of Dollars From Victims in Illinois and Throughout the U.S.

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois

ROCKFORD — A federal grand jury in Rockford has charged two Kentucky men with fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars from investors and customers throughout the United States, including a business in Boone County, Ill.

The indictment charges MARK CARROLL, 47, of Lexington, Ky., and LUKE CURRY, 36, of Bowling Green, Ky., with six counts of wire fraud.  Carroll and Curry were each arrested last week in Kentucky.  Arraignments in federal court in Rockford have been scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa A. Jensen.

According to the indictment, Carroll and Curry in 2018 and 2019 created multiple limited-liability companies, including Catapult Marketing, LLC and Catapult Funding LLC, and thereafter fraudulently obtained millions of dollars from victims under false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.  The pair allegedly falsely offered a line of credit to victims in exchange for the victims’ initial deposits of about 20% of the loan facility, without actually funding the line of credit.  The indictment also alleges that Carroll and Curry fraudulently entered into private loan agreements with victims in which the defendants falsely promised to repay the principal and interest at maturity in exchange for the victims' loan funds, including guaranteeing rates of return.  According to the charges, Carroll and Curry did not pay the guaranteed rates of returns and did not pay the victims in accordance with the terms of their agreements.

The arrests and indictment were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the FBI.  Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Beckman and Lisa Munch.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. 

The FBI is seeking the public’s help in identifying potential victims of the alleged fraud schemes associated with the defendants in this case.  The FBI is legally mandated to identify crimes it investigates.  Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law.  Responses are voluntary but would be useful in the federal investigation and to identify you as a potential victim.  If you believe you are a potential victim who has not yet been contacted, please email finfraud2023@FBI.GOV or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.  Based on the response provided, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.

Updated May 16, 2023

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Financial Fraud
Securities, Commodities, & Investment Fraud