Indiana Man Charged in Federal Court with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a man from Lebanon, Indiana, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. 

Evan Frederick Light, age 20, was indicted on May 2, 2023.  He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 12, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction for each charge is up to 20 years in custody, and/or a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution and forfeiture may also be ordered.

According to the Indictment, in 2021 and continuing until May of 2023, Light conspired and agreed with others to defraud and to obtain money and property from others by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. After obtaining funds through fraud, Light and others engaged in transactions with virtual currencies and electronic payments. These transactions were designed to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the fraud proceeds. 

The charges are merely accusations and Light is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

Light was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings and trial. A trial date has been set for August 15, 2023.