Crime · Pasco, WA
Pasco Pastor Accused of $8.4M Crypto Scam Targeting Church Members; Two More Defendants Added
A federal indictment in Eastern Washington District Court accuses Francier Obando Pinillo, former pastor and owner of Tiempos De Poder church in Pasco, Washington, of defrauding church members and others of nearly $8.4 million through a cryptocurrency scheme called "Solano Fi." A new indictment filed last week adds two defendants—Chad Devin Neuburger, arrested Thursday in Richland, and Colombian resident Yey Brandon Llanos Moreno—who allegedly created the scheme in Colombia in August 2021. Prosecutors say Pinillo used his pastoral position to recruit investors with promises of guaranteed monthly returns up to 35%, but the money was never invested and instead went to the defendants. Six investor accounts are detailed, most from Eastern Washington, describing escalating demands for additional funds when withdrawals were requested. Pinillo, who pleaded innocent, is scheduled to appear on new conspiracy charges Oct. 20; a separate CFTC civil suit remains paused pending the criminal case.