Cruz indicted for money laundering
Money laundering indictments were handed down this week against a local merchant accused of using his business as a front to conceal “dirty money” from his alleged illegal enterprises.
The suspect, Rogelio Cruz Vasquez, was indicted by the Warren County grand jury on two counts of money laundering, three counts of unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages, possession of untaxed liquor, unlawful possession of alcoholic beverages and criminal impersonation.
The charges come following a raid on Vasquez’s Skyline-neighborhood store, Mi Pueblo, this February. Lawmen raided the store after making undercover buys of liquor and beer. Vasquez did not hold a beer license and was allegedly selling alcohol on Sunday. He also sold liquor, which is not permitted in Warren County.
During the raid, officers seized numerous cases of liquor and beer along with over $36,000 in cash. The cash was forfeited during subsequent court proceedings, but Vasquez has appealed the forfeiture.
In charging Vasquez with money laundering, prosecutors maintain Vasquez used his store as a front to conceal the illegal profits he allegedly made on the illegal alcohol sales. Investigators also doubt Vasquez reported his alcohol profits to the IRS, meaning he could face federal tax evasion charges at a later date.
Vasquez is said to have been in the country illegally at the time of the raid and had been arrested for illegal immigration in the past. He also reportedly has a lengthy criminal record.