Four Murfreesboro members of a multi-state money laundering ring have been charged

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Several members of a multi-state money laundering organization have been charged in a wide-ranging conspiracy, according to the Department of Justice.

The Justice Department found that the nine indicted members laundered more than $20 million through Internet fraud schemes, including work email abuse schemes.

The group was arrested in a coordinated operation in three jurisdictions. The indictment announced Tuesday in Nashville shows that they were all charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The accused include:

Samson A. Omoniyi, 43, Houston, Texas
Misha L. Cooper, 50, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Robert A. Cooper, 66, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Carlesha L. Perry, 36, Houston, Texas
Whitney D. Bardley, 30, Florissant, MO
Lauren O. Guidry, 32, Houston, Texas
Caira Y. Osby, 44, Houston, Texas
Dazai S. Harris, 34, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Edward D. Peebles, 35, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee

The indictment alleged that the group were members of a “long-standing money laundering organization.” They are suspected to have been operating since around November 2016 in the Tennessee area, Texas and across the country.

“The conspirators allegedly structured the organization in such a way that recruiters, or ‘herders,’ recruited and directed participants, or ‘money mules,’ to launder money obtained through Internet fraud schemes that targeted companies and individuals in the United States and abroad.” – Department of Justice. “Defendants allegedly used fictitious companies and front companies to conceal fraud proceeds and enrich members of the conspiracy.”

If convicted, each of the nine defendants faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.