WEATHERFORD, Texas — The Parker County Sheriff’s Office has arrested several individuals linked to a months-long organized crime and cryptocurrency scam. The suspects allegedly defrauded residents by impersonating sheriff’s employees and demanding payments to avoid arrest.
The investigation began in April after multiple reports from residents who received calls claiming they had active arrest warrants. Victims were instructed to pay fines or fees using Bitcoin transactions, often at local cryptocurrency kiosks. Investigators said the group collected more than $1.2 million since November 2024, with one suspect admitting to taking $75,000 in under 40 days.
Funds were sent via QR codes to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by the suspects, while victims remained in contact with the perpetrators. Two suspects reportedly ran parts of the operation from Hancock Georgia State Prison, depositing funds into inmates’ accounts.
Authorities issued arrest warrants for four suspects, including Jose Joaquin Gaona, 25, who is believed to have led the scheme. Other suspects are:
Romelia Barrientos Garcia, 46, of Dallas County, arrested by TxDPS;
Christian de la Pena, 24, of Bexar County, arrested by TxDPS;
Towkir Islam, 25, of Atlanta, currently wanted in Georgia;
Samantha Ann Flores, 38, of Atlanta, arrested in Georgia and extradited to Parker County.
Investigators said Barrientos and Flores allegedly used scammed funds for bills, dining, jewelry, and Apple Pay accounts.
Sheriff Russ Authier stressed that the Sheriff’s Office will never request payment to clear warrants and urged the public to verify any suspicious claims directly with the agency.
