Areal Harris of Hanover, Maryland, was sentenced on Apr. 22 to two years in prison and ordered to pay over $3.1 million in restitution for her role in a large-scale money laundering conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. Harris, age 27, will also serve one year of supervised release after pleading guilty in May 2025 to participating directly in laundering at least $1.3 million.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address financial crimes that impact government agencies and private organizations. The case involved multiple defendants and targeted a scheme that laundered more than $20 million from victims including an environmental trust, medical center, school district, county government, and other entities.
Court documents show that between 2021 and February 2024 Harris conspired with others to conceal proceeds from wire fraud through various financial transactions and shell companies. Fourteen individuals have been charged; thirteen have pleaded guilty while one remains a fugitive. Several co-conspirators received sentences ranging from two years up to more than five years in prison along with substantial restitution orders.
The prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF brings together agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), local police departments, and others under a coordinated effort led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended law enforcement partners for their investigative work on this case: “Ms. Hayes praised the Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County Police Departments for their assistance.” She also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Bijon A. Mostoufi, Jared M. Beim as well as Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for their roles during prosecution.
The U.S Attorney’s Office serves nearly six million residents across Maryland according to its official website. It prosecutes federal crimes—including complex fraud schemes—handles civil cases on behalf of the United States government, collects debts owed to federal agencies according to its official website, and works alongside law enforcement partners throughout its history dating back to an act passed by Congress in 1789 according to its official website. Employing over 200 personnel across civil, criminal and administrative divisions according to its official website, it continues efforts aimed at enhancing quality of life through effective justice administration according to its official website.
