Adanegbe Gift Osenmwenkhae, aged 39, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has pled guilty to charges related to managing and supervising a significant money laundering scheme. The conspiracy reportedly laundered over $20 million obtained from fraudulent activities.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, announced the guilty plea along with law enforcement officials including Michael McCarthy from Homeland Security Investigations in Baltimore, Kareem A. Carter from IRS Criminal Investigation in Washington, D.C., George Golliday from the EPA's Office of Inspector General, and Ken DeChellis from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
Beginning in 2021 and continuing into early 2024, Gift conspired with multiple individuals, including Yahya Sowe aka “Cash”, Gedeon Agbeyome, Victor Killen, and others, to launder proceeds from extensive wire fraud activities. The conspirators engaged in financial transactions designed to obscure the origins of the funds.
According to the plea agreement, Gift held a managerial role, facilitating the laundering of stolen money from at least 15 victims, comprising government agencies, organizations, and companies. Gift's responsibilities included using encrypted communication accounts to manage the conspiracy, creating shell companies, opening bank accounts, and coordinating the movement and distribution of fraudulent proceeds.
Gift's sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox. He faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The court will determine the sentence after evaluating the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Bijon A. Mostoufi, and Jared M. Beim are prosecuting the case with support from Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber.
Kelly O. Hayes commended the joint efforts of the HSI-led Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, IRS-CI, EPA-OIG, and DCIS in carrying out the investigation, and acknowledged local law enforcement's assistance.
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