ALBUQUERQUE – Felix Fernando, 66, of Rio Rancho, N.M., was sentenced in federal court today to three years of probation for committing wire fraud.
He was also ordered to pay $76,028.94 in restitution.
Fernando previously pleaded guilty on November 19, 2018. In his plea agreement, he admitted to engaging in a scheme to defraud from July 2015 to December 2015 while leading a prayer group in Bernalillo County. Fernando told group members “their money was evil” and “miracles would happen” if they gave money to him. Fernando also told group members their payments would go to people in need. One group member wired $35,000 into Fernando’s bank account based on his false representations. Fernando kept all of the money for himself.
The Albuquerque office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley prosecuted the case.
Information from Department of Justice