Yellowhammer Times

An Auburn, Alabama man is facing federal charges related to loans obtained through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced that Cesar Campos-Reyes, 52, was taken into federal custody following an operation by law enforcement on July 15, 2025. Campos-Reyes has been indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of bank fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. The indictment was unsealed by the United States District Court in Montgomery.

The CARES Act provided relief through programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to support small businesses with operating expenses. The indictment accuses Campos-Reyes of making false statements when applying for multiple loans for his restaurants and misusing the funds.

The investigation involved several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Support came from the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force and other local law enforcement entities.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted, Campos-Reyes could face up to 30 years in prison and significant fines. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle R. Turner and John J. Geer, III are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.