SIX ST. LOUIS-AREA RESIDENTS CHARGED IN $8.3 MILLION PANDEMIC FRAUD OPERATION: FEDERAL INDICTMENT DETAILS MULTI-YEAR SCHEME TARGETING SBA RELIEF PROGRAMS

A federal indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of Missouri has charged six individuals from the St. Louis region in connection with an $8.3 million fraud operation tied to pandemic-era relief programs, outlining a multi-year scheme that leveraged federal economic assistance systems through falsified applications, identity misuse, and coordinated financial routing.

Raymond Porter Jr., 64, of St. Louis, is identified as a central figure and faces 28 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of aggravated identity theft, and four counts of money laundering. David Holmon, 54, of Olivette, is charged with conspiracy, 10 counts of wire fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of money laundering. Monica Butler, 59, of St. Louis, Dana Kelly, 47, of St. Louis, Alexander Sampson, 39, of St. Louis, and Latrice Davis, 40, of St. Charles County, are also charged in connection with the operation, facing varying counts tied to conspiracy, fraud execution, identity misuse, and laundering activity.

Federal authorities confirmed that Porter, Holmon, and Davis were arrested and made initial court appearances. The remaining defendants have been formally charged under federal indictment.

According to the charging documents, the operation submitted at least 40 fraudulent loan applications between March 2020 and December 2024 through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, both administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These programs were established to provide emergency financial support to small businesses during the COVID-19 disruption, including payroll stabilization and operational continuity funding.

Investigators allege that Porter and Holmon acted as primary coordinators, working with Davis to prepare and submit applications on behalf of their own entities as well as businesses linked to co-conspirators. The structure included a fee-based model in which Porter and Holmon collected between 10% and 20% of approved loan amounts, presented as consulting or equipment-related payments. A portion of those proceeds was distributed to Davis as part of the internal operation.

The indictment outlines a consistent pattern of identity manipulation and document fabrication. Personal identifying information of business owners was used to impersonate applicants during submission processes. Where necessary, the operation constructed supporting infrastructure, including fabricated business websites and email accounts, to simulate legitimate operations. Financial data submitted in the applications included false or inflated payroll figures, supported by fabricated documentation.

The activity extended beyond application submission. Individuals associated with the scheme were directed to open business bank accounts to receive disbursed funds. Fraudulent loan forgiveness applications were later submitted, supported by falsified financial records, with the intent of eliminating repayment obligations.

Authorities also allege the creation of sham business entities to expand operational reach. Davis is accused of registering fictitious businesses with the Missouri Secretary of State to support fraudulent filings. Ownership details were at times concealed, including the use of family members listed as business owners to obscure the identities of actual participants from federal oversight systems and third-party lenders.

Financial tracing in the indictment indicates that Porter and Holmon directly received more than $1.4 million in loan proceeds, along with approximately $900,000 in preparer-related fees. Additional funds included more than $1 million directed to Butler, nearly $400,000 associated with Kelly and Sampson, and over $95,000 connected to Davis.

Authorities state that the funds were diverted from their intended economic relief purpose and used for personal expenditures, including vehicle purchases, debt payments, personal transfers, home renovations, designer goods, and operational costs unrelated to the businesses listed in the applications.

The indictment also details the use of falsified tax documentation. At Porter’s direction, Kelly allegedly caused fraudulent federal tax filings to be submitted through her tax preparation business, identified as The Firm. These filings were used to reinforce the financial claims presented in loan applications.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting the case.

Federal enforcement activity surrounding pandemic-related fraud continues to expand. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice established the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a centralized unit tasked with identifying and prosecuting fraud involving federal funds across benefit programs.

All charges outlined in the indictment are allegations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥

‎👉 Eclipsera – Apple Music

---

---

---

---

---