BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A Raleigh County man is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering.
James E. Monroe Jr. 59, of Daniels entered the plea in federal court in Beckley.
According to a report from the U.S. Attorney Southern District of West Virginia, Monroe had filed a petition for personal bankruptcy in February 2022.
However, Monroe admittedly did not include several assets, including cash from the sale of more than 10,000 sports trading cards after he filed for bankruptcy, the December 2021 sale of his martial home in the Glade Spring residential development for $525,000 and the existence of a retirement account, among other assets.
He also admitted in court he falsely stated his then-minor daughter lived with him and was his dependent when neither was true.
Monroe is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15 and also faces a fine of up to $500,000.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The United States Trustee’s Charleston field office, which serves West Virginia, made the criminal referral of this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public.
United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case.
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