Maryland Man Sentenced to Over Five Years for Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Conspiracy

A Hyattsville, Maryland man has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a large-scale money laundering conspiracy that processed millions of dollars in fraudulent proceeds. Victor Killen, 33, received a sentence of 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the scheme. Additionally, he was ordered to pay over $7 million in restitution and forfeit $3 million. Killen had previously pleaded guilty in December 2025, admitting that at least $3 million in illicit funds were laundered through his direct participation.

The conspiracy, which ran from 2021 into February 2024, involved multiple individuals who worked together to conceal the origins and movement of money derived from wire fraud. Court documents indicate that the victims of this fraud included various entities such as government agencies, an environmental trust, an urban redevelopment program, a medical center, a transportation and logistics company, a school district, a college, and a county government, among others. Killen and his co-conspirators utilized encrypted electronic communication channels to manage and direct the money laundering operations. Their methods included establishing limited liability companies to act as shell entities, opening bank accounts in the names of these shell companies, and facilitating the receipt and laundering of the fraud proceeds. The conspirators frequently engaged in rapid, layered financial transactions, making it more challenging for victims and law enforcement to track and recover the stolen funds.

This case is part of a broader investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, which has charged 14 defendants in connection with this money laundering conspiracy. Thirteen of these defendants have pleaded guilty. One individual, Faizou Gnora, previously of Alexandria, Virginia, is still considered a fugitive from justice. Several other individuals have already been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. These include Yahya Sowe, Gedeon Agbeyome, Areal El-Lovieta Harris, Adanegbe Gift Osemwenkhae, Emily Gil Arias, Fatoumata Boiro, Lawrence Ogunsanwo, Lakeisha Parker, Martin Ogisi, Blondel Ndjouandjouaka, Kevin Colon, and Lorena Perez Herrera, all of whom admitted to conspiring to commit money laundering. Agbeyome also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, and Parker acknowledged conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sowe and Gift admitted to serving as managers or supervisors within the conspiracy, which investigators estimate involved over $20 million in laundered funds and impacted more than 15 victim organizations. Previous sentences in related cases range from 24 to 40 months in federal prison, with substantial restitution orders also imposed.

The investigation and prosecution of this conspiracy were conducted by a multi-agency effort, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General (EPA-OIG). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland also acknowledged the assistance of local law enforcement agencies, including the Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County Police Departments. The effort is part of a larger Homeland Security Task Force initiative aimed at dismantling criminal organizations.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

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