Lori Ann Kimball, a 52-year-old resident of Castle Rock, was sentenced on Mar. 24 to one year and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay over $3.1 million in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Kimball’s sentencing follows her involvement in a scheme that laundered proceeds from so-called ‘pig butchering’ scams, where victims are contacted online under false identities and persuaded to send money. The case highlights the risks associated with online interactions, especially those involving requests for funds.
According to the plea agreement, Kimball conspired from January 2023 through at least February 2025 with another individual to move fraud proceeds primarily to Nigeria. She was initially a victim herself before becoming involved in laundering funds received from other victims. Despite warnings from local law enforcement about her conduct, Kimball continued illegal financial transactions totaling over $3.4 million by transferring funds into cryptocurrency accounts she controlled before sending them on to digital wallets mainly held by individuals in Nigeria. She also provided false information to banks and cryptocurrency exchanges and used at least 20 bank accounts along with seven cryptocurrency accounts during the conspiracy.
“Sadly, Ms. Kimball was herself a victim of this malicious scheme, but she then joined those who targeted her to help steal millions of dollars from others. She continued even after local law enforcement warned to stop her criminal behavior,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “I urge all Coloradans to use caution when placing their trust in people they meet online, especially when those people ask for money.”
Amanda Prestegard, Special Agent in Charge at IRS-CI Denver Field Office said: “Romance scams leave deep emotional and financial scars, and the bad actors like Kimball, who help launder the proceeds of these scams, cause significant harm to victims and enable criminal networks.” Prestegard added: “IRS-CI will continue to follow the money to expose and disrupt these schemes and hold the network of criminals involved accountable.”
United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney presided over sentencing following an investigation by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant United States Attorney Craig Fansler prosecuted the case.
