(Texas Scorecard) – A Harris County bail bond scheme has resulted in 53 people indicted and 37 taken into custody for participating in wire fraud schemes related to the use of falsified documents. These documents were used to provide bail bonds to criminal defendants and their families who otherwise would not qualify.
“This investigation exposing alleged fraud within the bail bond industry is the first of its kind and the result of a 24-month long FBI Houston-led operation into a colossal bail bond scheme operating out of Harris County,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “By allegedly falsifying financial reports related to bail bonds, the accused individuals secured their release back onto the streets of our community through an illicit revolving door within the bond system.”
AABL Bonds, the bond company at the center of the scheme, has bonded out numerous high-profile defendants over the years, which led to it drawing attention. Its owner, Sheba Muharib, and her siblings, Anthony and Wasim, are all in the bond business and donate to numerous candidates and officeholders including outgoing District Attorney Kim Ogg. Anthony was appointed by Ogg to serve on her bail reform transition committee when she took office. Anthony and Wasim were not indicted or taken into custody during the FBI raid.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The FBI, the Houston Police Department, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation and raid with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Marshals Service and tactics teams from New Orleans and San Antonio.
The indictment alleges that 11 criminal defendants in Harris County obtained bonds based on falsified documents with the assistance of those working at AABL Bonds.
“Fraudulently utilizing the bail bond system to allow the release of criminals is unacceptable. We are proud to have joined our local, state, and federal partners in getting these individuals off the streets,” said Acting Houston Police Chief Larry J. Satterwhite.
“Our crime analysts proactively launched this investigation to target violent offenders and those that exploit our system. These actions undermine the legal process and pose a threat to public safety. We are committed to working diligently with our partners to root out corruption and ensure that those who engage in such fraudulent activities are held accountable,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Three of the indicted individuals have yet to be taken into custody and are currently wanted by law enforcement.