William Thomas Engle, 68, of Southlake, Texas, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on July 30 for defrauding individuals out of more than $8 million by promising assistance in obtaining loans for their small businesses, according to a July 31 announcement from the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Engle, a former attorney, was also ordered to pay $8,274,980 in restitution and to forfeit a Jeep Wrangler and several pieces of jewelry. “William Engle built an elaborate scheme that preyed on small business owners seeking legitimate financial help,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “These victims were working to build their futures, and instead of the promised support, Engle fed them repeated lies and forged documents while siphoning off millions from them to fuel his own greed. This sentence demonstrates our commitment to protecting the public and holding accountable those who defraud Main Street Americans.” FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said, “The sentence imposed in this case is a result of our commitment to hold accountable those who abuse their positions for personal gain. We encourage the public to thoroughly research investment opportunities and to contact us immediately if they suspect fraudulent activity.”
Court documents show that between 2020 and 2022 Engle promised customers multi-million-dollar loans if they provided up-front funding labeled as “Good Faith Accounts.” Victims testified at trial that they transferred upwards of $2 million each with assurances that funds would be held securely until loans were funded or returned otherwise. Instead, evidence showed Engle sent fraudulent bank statements purporting funds were secure while actually transferring customer money into his personal accounts.
Engle used these funds on luxury items including a yacht, vehicles such as a Jeep Wrangler, Rolex watches, and other jewelry; none of the money was returned. He provided false excuses when questioned about why loans had not been funded.
Engle was charged in September 2025 with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and transactional money laundering. After two days of victim testimony during his January 2026 trial, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before being sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman.
The FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency conducted the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandie Wade from the Violent Crimes Section and Marty Basu from the Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas covers a region serving about eight million residents across northern Texas through facilities including its main office at Earle Cabell Federal Building in Dallas along with branch offices in Fort Worth, Lubbock, Amarillo and Abilene; it employs around 100 assistant attorneys and staff members responsible for prosecuting federal crimes as well as managing civil litigation on behalf of the government as part of its mission within the Department of Justice, according to its official website.