Dallas Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Federal Prison for $1.1M Concert Promotion Fraud Scheme

A Dallas man was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison for stealing more than a million dollars from investors through a concert promotion scheme, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Carlos Desean Goodspeed, 45, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty to wire fraud in October 2025 after a federal grand jury indicted him in 2024 for obtaining funds from unwitting investors to whom he falsely represented that he was a concert promoter who would use their funds to purchase concert and event tickets and suites in order to resell them for a profit. On February 18, 2026, United States District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Goodspeed to 75 months in federal prison. He also ordered Goodspeed to pay nearly $1.2 million in restitution to seventeen victims of Goodspeed's fraud scheme.

Court records reveal that Goodspeed operated a business under the assumed name "Straight Like That Entertainment," and held himself out as a promotor for concerts and events involving high-profile artists and entertainers, including, for example, Tyler, the Creator, Ludacris, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, and Future, none of whom were involved in or knew about Goodspeed's fraud scheme.

With respect to one of his victims, Goodspeed admitted in plea documents that he solicited an investment that was to be used to purchase concert tickets and suites for a series of Tyler, the Creator shows, and the investor would receive a return on their investment once the shows took place. The victim wired Goodspeed a total of $180,000 pursuant to partner agreements outlining the terms of the investments. Though the shows took place, Goodspeed did not pay the victim as promised. Goodspeed admitted that he instead used the victim's investments, without the victim's knowledge or consent, for personal expenses, including rental payments at an upscale apartment complex, a purchase at a high-end retail store, and airline fees and hotels. He also admitted that he used some of the victim's money to pay other investors to continue concealing his scheme.

Three victims testified at Goodspeed's sentencing hearing and detailed their financial and emotional sufferings as a result of Goodspeed's scheme. One victim testified that she used part of an inheritance to invest with Goodspeed in hopes of being able to pay medical bills for a family member diagnosed with cancer. Goodspeed did not pay her back as promised, and she was forced to take out loans and use credit cards to pay funeral expenses when her family member passed away.

"Victims are often defrauded of life savings and suffer devastating economic and personal harm because of investment fraud schemes like this one," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. "Seeking lengthy prison time for defendants and restitution judgments on behalf of those victimized in these cases remain top priorities for my office."

"The FBI remains committed to investigating those who take advantage of our communities through investment fraud schemes. We encourage the public to thoroughly research investment opportunities and to contact us immediately if they suspect fraud," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

While on pretrial release before his guilty plea, Goodspeed's conditions of pretrial release were revoked and he was taken into custody in July 2025 after a United States Magistrate Judge found probable cause to believe Goodspeed committed a criminal fraud violation and also, in contravention to his conditions, continued to solicit and receive new investments. He remains in federal custody to serve his sentence of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Hunter prosecuted the case.