United States Attorney's Office

Western District of Missouri

U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips announced criminal charges against Isreal Owen Hawkins,
the founder of Petro America.

KCK man charged in $7.2 million fraud scheme that targeted thousands of investors nationwide
KANSAS CITY - A Kansas City, Kan., man has been charged in federal court for his role in a $7.2 million securities fraud scheme that victimized thousands of investors across the United States. Isreal Owen Hawkins, 55, of Kansas City, Kan., was charged in a two-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Hawkins is the president and CEO of Petro America Corporation. The criminal complaint charges Hawkins with securities fraud and with structuring financial transactions in order to evade federal reporting requirements.
 

Nov. 22, 2010:

Petro America
Four defendants indicted in $7.2 million securities fraud conspiracy;
Scheme targeted thosuands of investors nationwide
KANSAS CITY - Four defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a $7.2 million securities fraud conspiracy that victimized thousands of investors across the United States who bought shares in Petro America Corporation, which was purported to be a profitable oil trading company. Isreal Owen Hawkins, 55, of Kansas City, Kan., Teresa Brown, 52 of Bandera, Texas, Johnny Heurung, 56, of Saint Paul, Minn., and Clarence Moore, 62, of Atlanta, Ga., were charged in an 14-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Hawkins on Oct. 26, 2010, and includes additional defendants and charges.

Upcoming Court Events:

Investors of Petro America are encouraged to provide information via an online form at www.postalinspectorsurvey.com.

Due to the volume of expected responses, this process has been automated and placed online; all communication from potential victims regarding the case should be made via this Web site.