SAN ANTONIO, TX — Janet Yamanaka Mello, a civilian Army employee, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of mail fraud and filing false tax returns. Mello stole over $108 million from a grant program intended to support military families.
As a financial program manager at the U.S. Army’s Installation Management Command – G9, Child and Youth Services (CYS) at Fort Sam Houston, Mello manipulated her authority to divert funds to her own company, Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development (CHYLD). From December 2016 to August 29, 2023, she secured fraudulent grants intended for the 4-H Military Partnership Grant program, enriching herself with lavish expenditures on clothing, jewelry, vehicles, and real estate.
The court records detail that Mello conducted this fraud 49 times over six years, managing to siphon off approximately $108,917,749 from the $117,000,000 she requested. Furthermore, she significantly underreported her income from 2017 to 2022, evading taxes on the millions obtained through her scheme.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza emphasized the betrayal of trust and the severe impact of Mello’s actions on military dependents worldwide. Mello’s extravagant purchases included over 80 vehicles and 1,500 pieces of jewelry.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, represented by Special Agent in Charge Maria Thomas, reassured the public of their ongoing commitment to prosecuting those who exploit government resources for personal gain, highlighting the broader implications such corruption has on the safety and security of military families.
