Crime · Pasco, WA
Federal Indictment Expands Crypto Scam Case Against Pasco Pastor; Court Date Oct. 20
A federal court in the Eastern District of Washington has expanded its indictment against Francier Obando Pinillo, former pastor of Tiempos De Poder church in Pasco, adding two co-defendants accused of creating the fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme "Solano Fi" in Colombia in August 2021. Prosecutors allege the three defendants defrauded investors—including church members and others across Eastern Washington—of nearly $8.4 million by promising guaranteed monthly returns up to 35% on a non-existent crypto platform. Co-defendant Chad Devin Neuburger was arrested in Richland, while Yey Brandon Llanos Moreno remains in Colombia; Pinillo is scheduled to appear Oct. 20 on new conspiracy charges. The Commodity Trading Commission has also filed a civil suit against Pinillo, paused pending the criminal case outcome.