Home » Francier Obando Pinillo Held in $5.9M Crypto Fraud Case

Francier Obando Pinillo Held in $5.9M Crypto Fraud Case

Pasco pastor accused of defrauding congregation, violating release

by Sophia Bennett

A Pasco, Washington, pastor accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency investment fraud is back in custody. Francier Obando Pinillo, former pastor of Tiempos de Poder Church, was ordered jailed in Benton County after allegedly violating the conditions of his release.

During a July hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge James Goeke concluded that Pinillo had contacted alleged victims and continued soliciting money fraudulently, prompting the court to revoke his release.

“Mr. Pinillo is unlikely to abide by any condition or combination of conditions for release,” said Judge Goeke, describing him as a danger to the community.

Pinillo is facing 25 counts of wire fraud and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. He was first charged in January 2024 following a federal grand jury indictment for a scheme he allegedly ran from November 2021 to October 2023.

According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Pinillo targeted Spanish-speaking individuals, many from his congregation, promising returns as high as 34.9% on fake crypto investments. Instead, prosecutors say he pocketed $5.9 million from more than 1,500 people and never made the investments he promised.

Even after relocating to his Miami home following arrest, Pinillo continued posting religious-themed fundraising videos on Facebook. His church’s page has since been removed, and its services at two Pasco strip malls have ceased.

Federal investigators also uncovered a separate scheme in which Pinillo solicited donations for a fictitious charity, “God’s Time Orphanage Home Foundation,” claiming that donors would receive divine blessings in return.

While some actions—such as contacting one investor not on the prosecution’s restricted contact list—did not technically violate release terms, Pinillo did violate his bond conditions by reaching out to another investor who was on the list. He allegedly asked her to help him raise $200,000 to pay for legal counsel.

As a result, Judge Goeke not only ordered him to remain jailed but also imposed stricter conditions: Pinillo may not contact any investors or witnesses, use social media, or solicit money in any form. Email usage is restricted to communications with his attorney.

Pinillo’s trial is scheduled for March 2026.

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