Baxter County sheriff arrests three ‘money mules’ targeting community

BAXTER COUNTY, Ark. – A Baxter County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said three men were arrested in the county after an investigation by the office and federal and state officials.

Officials said three men were arrested for acting as “money mules” in enacting a scam on undercover officers posing as elderly area residents.

The three money mules arrested are 24-year-old Pruthvraj Butiya, who was arrested on Aug. 14 and is facing charges of felony theft and fleeing, and is on a Department of Homeland Security hold. On Aug. 15, 27-year-old Osazuwa P. Ikponmwosa was arrested and is facing charges of felony theft. On the same day, 28-year-old Pranav Sharma was arrested for felony theft and fleeing, reckless driving and is on a Department of Homeland Security hold. All are being held under a $25,000 bond.

A fourth man, 22-year-old Gage Thurman, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor obstructing government operations after hindering officers searching for a car.

Butiya’s arrest came after he arrived at a Mountain Home house to pick up $60,000 in cash while posing as a Federal Trade Commission Agent. He gave an address of St. Charles, Missouri, officials said, adding that his car was seized as part of the investigation.

Ikponmwosa was arrested after a similar arrangement to pick up $60,000 while posing as an FTC agent and PayPal representative. He was arrested at the home, and his coconspirator, who dropped him off there, then fled in his car, leading to a chase, officials said.

When the car pulled down a side road, Thurman, officials said, told police there was no car and tried to block them from going down the road, leading to his arrest.

Officials said they spotted the car, but the driver was not in it. Assistance from the Department of Corrections North Central Unit canine tracking team led deputies to a site 150 yards from the car, where they found and arrested Sharma.

Officials said investigators believe at least 10 other money mules were in the area, but have since fled.

The arrests follow a July 28th arrest of Chinese national Wenyan Song in the county for charges related to a $71,000 similar scam.