Judge Sentences Businessman for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

In San Antonio this morning, 53-year-old Reynaldo “Sonny” Jesus Peralez, owner and operator of Bohannon Oil Services, L.L.C., was sentenced for scheming to defraud investors of over $3.5 million dollars by routing false and fraudulent investment into trucks and transportation involved in the transport of fracking sands and for stealing the identity of one of his victims to further his fraudulent schemes announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

Chief United States District Judge Orlando L. Garcia sentenced Peralez to 75 months imprisonment followed by a three year supervised release term.  Judge Garcia also ordered Peralez to pay $3,599,105 in restitution.

On April 30, 2018, Peralez pleded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  By pleading guilty to the charges, Peralez admitted to knowingly engaging in a scheme to defraud investors and knowingly possess and use the identification of another person.

According to court documents, Peralez was the owner and operator of Bohannon Oil Services, L.L.C.   Through his company, Peralez made false and fraudulent representations to prospective investors indicating his company needed additional trucks to haul frac sand in order to fulfill contracts he had with oilfield services companies.  In fact, Peralez had no such contracts with the companies.  Peralez then grossly inflated the value of trucks, which he purchased with investor funds, and kept the remaining funds for his own personal use.  Peralez sent investors emails that included false documentation regarding his business dealings.  Peralez also made false representations to investors regarding payouts his business was supposedly receiving.  Peralez created fictitious businesses that he pretended were selling trucks directly to investors.  Peralez also forged the signature of a victim on a title to a truck to further his scheme.

Peralez was taken into custody by the U. S. Marshal Service to begin serving his sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Blackwell prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.