U.S. v. Jonathan D. Frost. Docket No. 1-26-CR-00004

Case Summary:

From approximately 2020 through September of 2023, Frost participated in a scheme in which investments were solicited for the purpose of building and operating a facility that would use solar power to extract hydrogen gas from water.  The funds that were raised, however, were never used for building a hydrogen plant but were instead converted to the personal use of Frost and his co-conspirators. 

Court History:
On January 27, 2026, an Information and Plea Agreement were filed in this case charging the defendant in relation with his role in the scam.   A copy of the Information and the defendant’s Plea Agreement can be found below under Court Documents. 

On February 11, 2026, the defendant made his initial appearance before the court and entered his guilty plea pursuant to the written plea agreement.

Court Dates:
Sentencing: The sentencing hearing in this matter previously scheduled for August 21, 2026 at 2pm is cancelled.  The Court set this case for status of sentencing on December 15, 2026, 2pm in the Courtroom 3 - Chattanooga, Federal Courthouse, 900 Georgia Ave., Rm 309, Chattanooga, TN before District Court Judge Travis R. McDonough.  Victims will not be addressed during this status hearing.  Please note this date is subject to change.  Please reach out to the case victim email hydrogen-victims@fbi.gov before traveling to court to avoid unnecessary travel. 

The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) affords victims a number of rights including the right to be reasonably heard at any hearing in the district court involving sentencing; however, due to the large number of victims in this case, in person attendance may be impractical.  If you wish to attend, please send a message to hydrogen-victims@fbi.gov well in advance of the hearing to advise of your intent to attend the sentencing hearing and whether you would like to exercise your right to speak during the hearing, and the US Attorney’s Office will try to determine if an alternative means of attendance is available.  Additionally, you may submit/attach your written Victim Impact Statement for the court’s consideration

The Crime Victims’ Rights Act also includes the right to full and timely restitution as provided by law.  The United States Attorney’s Office will use our best efforts to obtain an award of restitution on victims behalf.  Whether or not victims choose to attend the sentencing hearing, victims retain the right to seek restitution for certain financial losses incurred because of the crime.  To assist us in this process, we need victims to provide timely and accurate information regarding their losses. 

The United States Attorney’s Office will seek any lawful restitution on victims’ behalf; however, victims must provide us with their information promptly.  If you believe you are a victim and are owed restitution for losses incurred as a direct result of the defendant(s)’ crime(s), please send your written request to the case email hydrogen-victims@fbi.gov containing the total amount of restitution you believe you are entitled to and a summary of your specific losses as a result of this offense by no later than June 5, 2026. The amount should include only the principal loss (original sum invested) and should not include owed interest, promised return on investment, or accrued capital rolled over into other funds.

The Mandatory Victims Restitution Act of 1996 requires the prosecuting attorney’s office to promptly provide the United States Probation Office with a listing of all amounts subject to restitution no later than sixty (60) days prior to the date initially set for sentencing.   Accordingly, it is essential that you submit your restitution request to the US Attorney’s Office via the email address listed above by the above-referenced date to ensure your request can be considered by the Court.

Please note this deadline is extremely important.  While our office will make every effort to coordinate with the United States Probation Office, failure to meet the submission deadline for your restitution documentation may result in the Court requiring a showing of good cause for any delay.  Therefore, it is imperative that you remain attentive and compliant with this deadline. 

Custody Status:

During the defendant’s initial appearance February 11, 2026, the Court ordered for the defendant to remain out of custody on pre-trial release with conditions of release pending sentencing.  A copy of the Order Setting Conditions of Release can be found below under Court Documents. 

Resources:
Eastern District of Tennessee Victim Witness Program Information: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/victim-witness-assistance

Restitution Information: Brochure 

Press Releases: Here.

Court Documents: 

Contact Information:
For further information about this case, please email the FBI Hydrogen-Victims@fbi.gov and an investigative agent will respond as quickly as possible.  Please note that due to the large number of victims in this case it may take up to two weeks to receive a response.

Please do not call the U.S. Attorney’s Office as we do not have the personnel resources to manage high volumes of calls.