Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has sentenced Cantu to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release. She is also required to pay $350,000 in restitution.
The Department of Justice reported that Cantu was involved in a scheme that used falsified documents to deceive lenders, title companies, and property buyers.
Cantu, an escrow officer, manipulated real estate closings by submitting fraudulent documents to mislead parties involved in the transactions. She was released on bond but has now been sentenced.
One of the fraudulent tactics Cantu used involved creating a fake email address to send deceptive payoff statements, resulting in the release of over $350,000 by a title company.
Multiple fraudulent transactions
Authorities revealed that Cantu orchestrated various fraudulent transactions, including selling properties that had already been transferred and accepting undisclosed cash payments.
These deals were intentionally structured to conceal important information from the parties involved, causing significant financial harm to buyers and lenders.
During the sentencing, a victim of the scheme shared the impact of the fraud on their personal and financial well-being, urging the court to impose a deterrent sentence to prevent similar crimes in the future.
Sentencing and investigation
Cantu will remain on bond until she is assigned to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The FBI, McAllen Police Department, and Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation into the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Garcia handled the prosecution.
The Department of Justice underscored the severity of the offense, stating, “This sentence reflects the harm caused by individuals who exploit their positions of trust for financial gain. Victims of real estate fraud suffer long-lasting consequences, and today’s sentencing holds the defendant accountable.”