July 31, 2015

Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Theft Charges

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jorge Salazar, age 57, of Georgia pleaded guilty on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, to wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated theft charges before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo in Harrisburg.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charges against Salazar were a result of a fraudulent investment scheme he carried out in Adams County, Pennsylvania from 2012 through 2014. The investment scheme netted about $360,000.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue service, Criminal Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is 42 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $750,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.