A Washington, D.C., woman was sentenced on April 27 in federal court for her involvement in a multi-million dollar money laundering conspiracy. Lorena Perez Herrera, 29, received a two-year prison sentence and one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $1,473,125.58 in restitution after pleading guilty to participating directly in the scheme.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat large-scale financial crimes that target both public and private organizations. According to the official website, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland prosecutes federal crimes and handles civil cases for the government while partnering with law enforcement agencies to protect public safety and resources according to the official website.
Court documents show that from 2020 through November 2023, Herrera conspired with others to launder proceeds from wire fraud affecting various victims including government agencies, companies, educational institutions, and nonprofits. The group used shell companies and bank accounts under false names to conceal illicit funds' origins and movements.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Christopher R. Heck of Homeland Security Investigations; Kareem A. Carter of IRS-Criminal Investigation; and George Golliday of EPA Office of Inspector General announced these developments together.
Fourteen defendants have been charged so far in connection with this conspiracy—thirteen have pleaded guilty while one remains a fugitive. Sentences handed down include prison terms ranging from two years up to six years as well as millions in restitution orders against those convicted.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion—a whole-of-government effort targeting criminal cartels and transnational crime rings operating domestically or abroad.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Maryland employs over 200 personnel across its divisions according to its official website. It serves nearly six million residents throughout Maryland according to its official website, enhances quality of life through justice administration according to its official website, counts alumni among prominent leaders according to its official website, and traces its roots back more than two centuries according to its official website.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended multiple law enforcement partners involved in this investigation including HSI-led task forces as well as local police departments who contributed assistance.
