U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes | U.S. Department of Justice
An Arkansas resident, John Christopher Bates, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison on March 12, 2025. Bates pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, he has been ordered to pay $252,344 in restitution and will undergo three years of supervised release.
The sentencing took place at the United States District Court in Hot Springs, Arkansas, under Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey. According to court documents, Bates waived indictment by a grand jury and admitted guilt for two counts related to fraudulent activities.
The first scheme involved false applications for benefits from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services during the distribution of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The second scheme involved fraudulent applications for Economic Impact Disaster Loans amounting to over $1 million.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Daniels and Hunter Bridges prosecuted the case. Further details can be accessed through court documents available on www.pacer.gov.
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