Six residents from the St. Louis area have been accused of participating in an $8.3 million pandemic relief fraud, according to an indictment announced on April 17. Three of the individuals were arrested Friday and appeared in court.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address misuse of government funds intended for economic support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri investigates and prosecutes federal crimes such as terrorism and fraud while enforcing civil rights, serving 49 counties across the region, according to the official website.
Raymond Porter Jr., David Holmon, Monica Butler, Dana Kelly, Alexander Sampson, and Latrice Davis face a range of charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. The indictment alleges that between March 2020 and December 2024 they submitted at least 40 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were programs established by the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist small businesses during the pandemic.
According to prosecutors, Porter and Holmon worked with Davis to prepare false loan applications for their own businesses as well as those owned by Butler, Kelly, and Sampson. In exchange for submitting these applications—which often included fabricated financial documents or impersonated business owners—Porter and Holmon allegedly received fees disguised as payments for equipment or consulting services before sharing some proceeds with Davis.
The indictment further claims that falsified tax documents were filed through Kelly’s tax preparation business at Porter’s direction; fake websites were created when needed; personal information was used without authorization; sham businesses were registered; identities concealed from lenders; and loan forgiveness was sought using fraudulent means.
Special Agent in Charge William Steenson of IRS-Criminal Investigation said: “Since 2020, IRS-Criminal Investigation has investigated thousands of instances of alleged waste, fraud and abuse of CARES Act programs… When someone uses fraudulent means to gain access to government funds they’re not entitled to, we take that very seriously and will investigate the allegations to the fullest extent to bring the fraudsters to justice.”
Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of FBI St. Louis Division said: “The alleged scheme involved submitting fraudulent loan applications on behalf of others as a paid service… The perpetrators allegedly submitted dozens of false loan documents to bilk millions of dollars from the taxpayer-funded pandemic relief programs.”
Investigators say proceeds from these activities funded vehicles purchases, personal debts payments, home renovations and other non-approved expenses unrelated to original business purposes stated on applications.
Charges outlined are accusations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court proceedings held at facilities such as Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse in St. Louis or Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau—as noted on their official website.
This case comes shortly after a new National Fraud Enforcement Division was announced by Department of Justice on April 7—a unit focused on prosecuting those who steal or misuse taxpayer dollars within federal benefit programs—a mission aligned with President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aimed at eliminating government program abuse.
