Infinite Properties Fraud Operators Sentenced to Federal Prison
MCALLEN – Closure for more than 90 families that lost money and homes they had saved for came on Thursday.
Three men were sentenced in federal court in a mortgage fraud case in connection with a business called Infinite Properties.
The company’s operators made their pleas to the families in federal court "I apologize for everything that happened," "I'm sorry to all the people," and “I accept responsibility for hurting these families."
CHANNEL 5 NEWS tracked the company called Infinite Properties. After a year of investigation, we learned thousands of dollars were gone and dozens of people lost money and their dreams.
Victims gave out their own testimony to federal Judge Randy Crane, in front of attorneys and the three men who stole their life savings.
Families said they put their trust in a company called Infinite Properties.
"Hopefully, there won’t be other victims that go through this because it’s pretty hard,” said victim Rita Castillo.
Castillo was featured on CHANNEL 5 NEWS’ initial investigation. She said she wanted a home for her daughter and gave Rogelio Ramos, Luis Rodriguez, and Guadalupe Artemio Gomez $8,000. It was her down payment and life savings.
Judge Crane sentenced Gomez to four years, Ramos to seven and a half years and the main organizer of the group, Rodriguez, to 13 years in federal prison.
They will serve five years of supervision after they're released. The trio was also ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution.
Castillo disagreed with the judge’s decision.
"Really, I think they should have got a little bit more sentence especially the last two I think they got off pretty easy,” said Castillo.
She said the hardship doesn't end with them behind bars.
"But up to now, I think I lost another $4,000 because I'm still renting a unit where I have all of my stuff in and I haven't been able to buy a property. I'm still paying the CD that I got a loan against for the down payment for this house I never got,” said Castillo.
Authorities said the three men targeted people who couldn't buy a home through the bank. They would ask for a down payment and never close the deal.
“Do you feel any kind of closure at all?” asked CHANNEL 5 NEWS reporter Angelo Vargas.
“I don't think so. I think it won’t be until we actually receive the money's that maybe I can start feeling some closure to this and put this behind me,” Castillo said.
The Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Guerra said they don't have a timeline as to when families will get some of that money back.
Rogelio Ramos, Luis Rodriguez, and Guadalupe Artemio Gomez are in custody. They are waiting to be transferred to a federal prison.
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