United States v. Christopher John Pettit
5:22-cr-00653
| W.D. Tex. | Feb 8, 2024Background:
- The United States moved for entry of a money judgment against Christopher John Pettit in the Western District of Texas, following his guilty plea.
- Pettit pleaded guilty to violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (wire fraud) and 18 U.S.C. § 1957 (money laundering).
- The government sought forfeiture of $65,000,000, representing the proceeds or value of property involved in Pettit's offenses.
- The court found that the government proved by a preponderance of the evidence that this amount accurately reflects property or proceeds subject to forfeiture.
- The judgment provides that if a term of probation or supervised release is imposed, payments are to be made according to a schedule set by the Probation Office, after other criminal debts are satisfied.
- The order allows the government to pursue substitute assets if Pettit cannot satisfy the money judgment.
Issues:
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis for money judgment | Proceeds represent value of property from crimes | (Not specified in the opinion) | Money judgment appropriate |
| Amount of forfeiture | $65,000,000 is attributable to defendant’s conduct | (Not specified in the opinion) | Entire amount forfeited |
| Timing/basis of payments | Schedule per Probation Office, after other debts | (Not specified in the opinion) | Schedule per Probation Office |
| Forfeiture of substitute assets | May seek substitute assets if original not available | (Not specified in the opinion) | Allowed for equivalent value |
Key Cases Cited
No key cases with reporter citations are cited in this order.