Colorado man convicted for fraud committed in northern Indiana

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A Colorado man was found guilty of five counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Earl D. Miller, 43, of Colorado Springs, was found guilty following a five-day jury trial.

According to the indictment, over the course of about two years, Miller convinced investors to put their money in his real estate investments.

Miller recruited investors, including members of the Amish community in northern Indiana, for 5 Star Capital, 5 Star Commercial, and his other real estate businesses. He advertised his investment services in local Amish newspapers, held community meetings with Amish families to discuss these “opportunities,” and advertised his Amish heritage, reports said.

From June 1, 2014, to August 2015, Miller raised at least $4.3 million from at least 70 investors.

He also pocketed over $1 million from 5 Star Commercial investors for personal use and to pay off a former business partner, case documents state.