New Boston Woman Pleads Guilty in $4.6 Million Child Modeling Fraud Scheme

DETROIT - Chanise Coyne, 46, pleaded guilty today to executing a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme involving supposed child modeling events, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Coyne pleaded guilty to a charge of wire fraud and admitted that she obtained over $4.6 million from a local family by fraudulently claiming that money would be used for advance fees associated with the participation of the family's young daughter in various modeling events across the country. Coyne also admitted that she generated false and fraudulent records-including fake text messages, emails, and invoices-relating to the supposed placement of that young girl in modeling events. The money obtained by Coyne was fraudulently misappropriated for her own benefit and not used in connection with the placement of the young girl in a single modeling event. Instead, Coyne used significant sums of her fraud proceeds for gambling.

"Coyne exploited a child's dreams and ripped off a local family with her fake claims. But she will face real consequences," stated U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

"The defendant's guilty plea is an acknowledgment that she deliberately calculated and executed a multi-million-dollar scheme that violated a family's trust, and she will face the full measure of accountability for her actions," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "Our work does not stop here. FBI Detroit remains relentless in pursuing those who attempt to defraud Michigan families and in ensuring that those individuals' illicit activities are brought to a swift and decisive end."

Sentencing is set for September 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. before Judge David M. Lawson. Coyne faces up to 20 years' imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind. Related forfeiture matters are being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Fasbinder.