HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has returned an eight-count indictment against a 29-year-old Houston man in relation to a money laundering scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Baudelaire Idriss Tchouala is set to make his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne H. Ho at 2 p.m. Authorities took him into custody yesterday.
Tchouala is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of money laundering and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
According to the indictment, Tchouala owned B.T & Sons which had several bank accounts. From July 1 through Nov. 5, 2018, he allegedly conspired with others to commit money laundering. He withdrew money from his bank accounts that were the proceeds of wire fraud, according to the charges.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years for the conspiracy to commit and committing money laundering, while the other charges carry a possible 10-year-term of imprisonment.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.