Manor Con Artist Sentenced to 40 Years for Elaborate Fraud Scheme

Saint Jovite Youngblood, 52, of Manor, Texas, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for scamming 32 victims out of nearly $13 million via an elaborate plan involving fake threats from Mexican cartels. According to the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, Youngblood was convicted of four wire fraud charges and one money laundering count. He was also ordered to reimburse the $12.7 million he stole.

Youngblood gained the trust of his victims, who ranged from acquaintances to the parents of his son's ice hockey teammates, by acting as a former US Army special operations officer. He claimed to be familiar with cartel "hit lists" and provided security in exchange for enormous sums of money, promising victims significant returns on their investment.

Victims sacrificed their life savings, homes, and college funds, with one Cedar Park family losing $200,000. Prosecutors revealed that Youngblood gambled away most of the money, including $700,000 in 2023, at a single Las Vegas casino.

An undercover sting operation in North Austin, facilitated by a victim who paid $900,000, revealed Youngblood's recurring scams. "This fraudster destroyed lives through deceptive misrepresentations," US Attorney Jaime Esparza said.

Youngblood's conviction emphasizes the gravity of his crimes and seeks to bring closure to his victims, many of whom face lengthy recoveries from financial loss.

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