Restaurant Owner in Lexington Charged with Money Laundering and Conspiracy of Bribe

Guerra Holdings owner, Francisco Javier Guerra Torres, a Lexington businessman, entered a guilty plea to two federal cases: conspiracy to bribe a public official and money laundering. Guerra Torres is now subject to fines of up to $750,000 and a possible term of 65 years in jail. To get his companies subcontracted, Guerra Torres acknowledged bribing a governmental official.

These contracts supported military operations in Afghanistan. A $250,000 fine and a maximum sentence of five years in jail are associated with his guilty plea.

The scheduled sentencing date is March 18th, 2025. Guerra Torres admitted to money laundering through his check processing company in a different plea deal. In 2020 and 2021, he collaborated with an undercover federal agent and a confidential informant, agreeing to transfer money obtained through fraudulent penny stock schemes.

Guerra Torres received commissions from these deals in exchange for his services. Before his indictment in August 2021, he finished three wire transactions in early 2021. On September 22nd, 2021, Guerra Torres was arrested after federal and state officials raided his Lexington-based company.

The maximum penalty for the money laundering accusations is 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. This case does not yet have a scheduled sentence hearing.