An Arlington man is accused of using church-related projects and religious investment pitches to defraud more than 50 people out of more than $3 million.
Richard Reinaldo Garcia, 53, was federally charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Federal authorities say the alleged scheme reached victims in the United States and abroad.
The charges are allegations. Garcia has not been convicted in the case.
Victims Were Allegedly Sold Church-Related Ventures
Arlington man ran $3.2m fraud that claimed to fund religious projects, feds say https://t.co/23PBRHOOcP
— Fort Worth Star-Telegram (@startelegram) July 12, 2026
The Star-Telegram reported that Garcia is accused of making false material statements to more than 50 victims.
Those statements allegedly persuaded people to send money for projects they believed were tied to religious ventures. The alleged pitches included “church flipping” real estate projects, Christian music concerts, and other church programs.
Prosecutors say the money was not used as represented and instead supported Garcia’s personal living expenses.
According to the indictment described in the report, Garcia controlled bank accounts in church-related names, including “Ministerio Gracia,” “Gracia Church of Texas,” and “Pesar de Todo LLC.”
Victims were allegedly directed to transfer money into those accounts and label the transfers as donations.
The FBI Says Congregants and Families May Have Been Targeted
The FBI’s Dallas Division is seeking potential victims in the Richard R. Garcia investigation. The FBI has posted questionnaires in English and Spanish for people who believe they were victimized or have information relevant to the investigation.
The bureau’s notice links the investigation to Gracia Church and A Pesar de Todo.
The FBI says Garcia was recently charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The bureau also says it believes Garcia primarily targeted church congregants, their relatives, and their friends beginning in at least 2020 and continuing to the present.
The Case Is Headed Toward Trial in Fort Worth
Garcia’s case is scheduled to go to trial in federal court in Fort Worth in October, according to the Star-Telegram.
The public reports did not list a plea, bond status, or defense response to the allegations.
If convicted, Garcia faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy counts. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year sentence, according to the report.
Faith-Based Investment Pitches Still Need Outside Verification
Before sending money, potential investors and donors can ask for written investment documents, proof of ownership or project control, bank-account records showing who owns the receiving account, tax or nonprofit registration, contracts, budgets, and independent confirmation from church leadership or a licensed professional not connected to the pitch.
Warning signs include promises of large profits tied to faith-based projects, requests to label investment money as a donation, transfers to accounts controlled by one person, pressure to keep the opportunity inside a church circle, vague explanations of how returns will be paid, and excuses when investors ask for records.
Suspected investment fraud can be reported to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov, the SEC at sec.gov/tcr, and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.