A Cedar City property manager has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud, admitting to the embezzlement of funds from various homeowners associations, property owners, and tenants, as well as presenting fraudulent cashier’s checks at Las Vegas casinos.
Blake Floyd Cozzens, 35, of Cedar City, was charged on March 24, 2025. He admitted to his fraudulent activities that spanned from January 2020 to January 2025, during which he managed multiple HOAs and properties in Iron County, Utah. Cozzens confessed to embezzling funds intended for safekeeping and redirecting them for personal use. He also submitted fraudulent deposits through an online property management application, resulting in a $210,000 loss for the California corporation that offers the application. Overall, Cozzens fraudulently gained at least $772,966 from HOAs, property managers, tenants, and the application company.
Cozzens also admitted to defrauding a Las Vegas bank by presenting seven cashier’s checks worth $1,414,000 to casinos in exchange for gambling credits. Later, he falsely claimed to the bank that the checks were lost, leading the bank to stop payments and losing $1,395,673.58 as a result.
Cozzens has agreed to pay restitution to his fraud victims. Those who believe they are affected can seek information through the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance page or by contacting the Victim-Witness Coordinator.
Sentencing for Cozzens is set for June 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah. The case is under the investigation of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Cedar City Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Prosecution is handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
