A Florida business owner has been indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and forgery in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Jasen Butler, 37, of Jupiter, Florida, is accused of submitting falsified invoices to U.S. Navy ships and other vessels through the SEA Card Program between August 2022 and January 2024. This program allows U.S. vessels to purchase fuel at ports globally.
Court documents reveal that Butler's company, Independent Marine Oil Services LLC, submitted fake documents to several U.S. warships, including the USS Patriot, resulting in over $5 million in fraudulent payments for non-existent expenses. The indictment alleges Butler concealed his identity using a false name and claimed employment with a fictitious company division.
Assistant Attorney General Abigail A. Slater emphasized the commitment of the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force to bring justice to those who defraud military personnel and taxpayers: “This indictment sends a clear, public message: the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force under President Trump will not rest until all who defraud the brave men and women of the U.S. military and the American taxpayers receive swift justice.”
Special Agent Josh Packer from the Coast Guard Investigative Service highlighted their focus on fraud schemes affecting Coast Guard operations: “Investigating complex fraud schemes which impact U.S. Coast Guard operations is a priority for CGIS.”
Special Agent Greg Gross from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service stated that such fraudulent activities are detrimental to both warfighters and taxpayers: “Mr. Butler’s alleged involvement in unlawfully submitting fraudulent invoices related to U.S. naval ships receiving fuel during port visits is an affront to the warfighter and taxpayer.”
Butler faces severe penalties if convicted—up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years for forgery, and up to 10 years for money laundering. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge considering guidelines and statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Sara Clingan and Trial Attorney Jonathan Pomeranz from the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section.
The Justice Department encourages anyone with information about this or similar fraud schemes to contact their Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF). More details can be found at www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
An indictment is only an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
