WASHINGTON, D.C. – A local business owner, Robert A. Terrell, 51, of Washington, D.C., and Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in U.S. District Court for his role in falsifying documents to secure over $1.35 million in COVID-19 relief funds intended for struggling businesses. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the guilty plea on Thursday, detailing the fraudulent activities that misappropriated taxpayer resources during a critical time for many small businesses in the area.
According to court documents, Terrell is the sole owner of District Logistics LLC, established in 2016 and based in the District of Columbia. The company provides services such as hauling construction materials and snow removal. Between July 2020 and January 2022, Terrell applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and subsequent modifications, which were part of a federal initiative by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer financial support amid the pandemic.
Initially, District Logistics received $125,800 in EIDL funds in July 2020. Terrell later secured an additional $384,100 in September 2021. However, in a bid to obtain a second modification for $2 million, Terrell provided the SBA with falsified financial documents, including doctored bank receipts and inflated debt disclosures. His fraudulent actions led to the approval of an additional $1.35 million that he misused for personal trading and gambling.
At his hearing before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, Terrell’s case took an unusual twist as he attempted to deny his identity in court. Despite previously admitting his name, he later claimed to be “Robert Alphonso III, the General Executor of the Terrell Estate,” while representing himself. Sentencing has been scheduled for February 4, 2027, highlighting the serious consequences of his fraudulent actions as local authorities continue to address the misuse of federal programs.
This case serves as a reminder of ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat fraud and protect taxpayer resources, particularly during vulnerable times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Attorney Pirro emphasized the commitment to holding individuals accountable who exploit federal assistance programs designed to support the community.
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