Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
An Auburn, Alabama resident has been charged with federal crimes related to loans received through the CARES Act, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. On July 15, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants and located Cesar Campos-Reyes, who was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The United States District Court in Montgomery unsealed the criminal indictment against Campos-Reyes today. He surrendered to federal authorities on Tuesday evening.
The CARES Act provided relief through programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to support small businesses with operating expenses. The indictment alleges that Campos-Reyes made false claims when applying for multiple loans for his restaurants and misused the funds.
This investigation involved several agencies, including the FBI, DEA, HSI, and ALEA. It also received support from the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force and various local law enforcement agencies.
An indictment is merely an allegation of a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
If convicted on all counts, Campos-Reyes could face up to 30 years in prison and significant fines. There is no parole in the federal system. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle R. Turner and John J. Geer III are prosecuting this case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and eliminate transnational criminal organizations through resources from the Department of Justice's task forces.
