Baxter County, Arkansas – In a coordinated effort involving local, state, and federal authorities, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of three men accused of acting as “money mules” in a scam targeting elderly residents in the community. The arrests mark the latest in a series of law enforcement actions aimed at preventing fraudulent schemes that exploit vulnerable populations.
Officials confirmed that the three men arrested are 24-year-old Pruthvraj Butiya, 27-year-old Osazuwa P. Ikponmwosa, and 28-year-old Pranav Sharma. Butiya was apprehended on August 14 and is facing charges of felony theft and fleeing. He is currently on a Department of Homeland Security hold. Ikponmwosa and Sharma were both arrested on August 15, with Ikponmwosa facing felony theft charges and Sharma charged with felony theft, fleeing, and reckless driving. Both are also being held under a $25,000 bond, with Sharma on a DHS hold.
In addition to the three primary arrests, 22-year-old Gage Thurman was taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor obstructing government operations after interfering with law enforcement officers during the search for a vehicle connected to the investigation.
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Authorities said the arrests stem from undercover operations where officers posed as elderly residents in the Baxter County area. Butiya’s arrest, officials said, occurred when he arrived at a Mountain Home residence to pick up $60,000 in cash while pretending to be a Federal Trade Commission agent. During the operation, he provided a St. Charles, Missouri, address and his vehicle was seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Ikponmwosa was arrested under similar circumstances, attempting to collect $60,000 while posing as both an FTC agent and a PayPal representative. Officials said the arrest occurred at a residence where he was dropped off by a coconspirator who fled in a vehicle, prompting a police chase. When the vehicle pulled down a side road, Thurman reportedly told police there was no car and attempted to block their path, leading to his subsequent arrest.
Sharma, officials said, was found 150 yards from the abandoned vehicle after assistance from the Department of Corrections North Central Unit canine tracking team helped deputies locate him.
“The arrests highlight the coordinated efforts of local and federal authorities to combat these fraudulent operations and protect our residents,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators also warned that at least ten additional money mules may have been operating in the area but have since fled, leaving open the possibility of further arrests. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving unexpected cash pickups or individuals claiming to represent federal agencies.
These arrests come shortly after the July 28 apprehension of Chinese national Wenyan Song in Baxter County, who was charged in connection with a similar $71,000 scam targeting local residents. “Our community will not tolerate individuals exploiting the elderly or using deceptive tactics to steal from unsuspecting citizens,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
The recent crackdown underscores the growing concern over money mule operations and the increasing sophistication of scams aimed at exploiting vulnerable populations. Officials emphasized that these investigations rely heavily on coordination among local, state, and federal agencies, as well as community awareness.
Residents are reminded that legitimate federal agents or representatives from companies such as PayPal do not demand cash pickups and that any such requests should immediately be reported to law enforcement. The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone with information related to these scams or potential suspects to contact the department to assist in ongoing investigations.
With the arrests of Butiya, Ikponmwosa, Sharma, and Thurman, authorities hope to send a clear message to would-be scammers: deceptive schemes targeting local residents will not be tolerated, and law enforcement is committed to pursuing those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
