California Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Fraud Scheme Targeting More Than a Dozen Victims

HONOLULU - United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Richard Patterson, Jr., 44, of Norco, California, was sentenced yesterday to 68 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for conspiring to commit wire fraud and failing to appear for a court hearing. Patterson was also ordered to pay $2,030,000 in restitution to more than 15 identified victims.

As admitted in his August 2025 plea agreement, Patterson and his two coconspirators, Dashawn Hill and Judy Ramos, carried on an "advance payment scheme," wherein they made fraudulent representations to solicit upfront investments of between $5,000 and $550,000 from victims. Patterson and his coconspirators claimed they would use these upfront monies to pay fees for financial products that would generate 200% to 1000% risk-free returns. Patterson and his coconspirators instead used the victims' money to pay for their living expenses, travel, entertainment, rent, and other personal expenses. According to court documents, Patterson used the money to live a millionaire's lifestyle, renting a luxury condominium at Ala Moana, buying luxury goods, and enjoying luxury travel. As part of the scheme, Patterson held himself out under the alias "Xavier Carter," used a fake accent, and claimed to be a foreign national when presenting himself as "Xavier Carter." Collectively, Patterson and his coconspirators defrauded victims of over $2 million.

A week before his federal fraud trial was set to begin on October 28, 2024, Patterson failed to appear for two in-person court hearings. Patterson ceased communications with his counsel, refused to travel to Hawaii, and then fled the Central District of California, where he was out on bond. Patterson was arrested in the Southern District of California and brought back to Hawaii. His flight led to the continuance of the scheduled trial.

Co-defendants Dashawn Hill and Judy Ramos each also pled guilty pursuant to plea agreements and are scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2026 and May 13, 2026, respectively.

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese prosecuted the case.