Hayden O’Byrne United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida | The Florida Bar
On May 15, 2025, Adam Jonathan Lowe of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to over six years in federal prison. This sentencing follows his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived proceeds. The Honorable David Leibowitz presided over the case. After his release from custody, Lowe will serve three years of supervised release and is required to pay restitution to the victims.
Previously, on May 13, 2025, Murray Todd Petersen of Fair Oaks, California, received a nine-year federal prison sentence. His conviction followed a seven-day jury trial in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The charges against him included conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud itself. Upon release from custody, Petersen will also serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution.
Another co-defendant, Scott Schafer of Pembroke Pines, Florida, was sentenced on October 18, 2024. He received five years probation following his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Court documents and testimony revealed that Lowe acted as president of The Diamond Desk and manager of PetersenLowe LLC., supplying fancy-colored diamonds sourced globally. Petersen worked as a salesman at PetersenLowe LLC., convincing investors to purchase these diamonds using false representations about the safety and security of investments. Fraudulent appraisals were provided by Schafer. Investors were misled into holding onto their investments with promises of high returns from a non-existent China investment program which was actually a Ponzi scheme.
The fraudulent scheme netted approximately $13 million and defrauded over 100 victims. U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami announced the sentences.
The FBI Miami investigated the case with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc Anton and Latoya Brown prosecuting it. Asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon.
Further information regarding this case can be found on the websites mentioned in the original press release.
