power ranger actor arrested covid fraud
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Power Rangers Actor Austin St. John Raided By FBI For COVID Fraud

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90s Power Ranger actor Austin St. John is facing up to 20 years in prison for an alleged COVID-wire fraud case.

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Austin St. John(real name Jason Geiger)  is famously known for his role as the red Power Ranger Jason Lee Scott on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and he was arrested on Thursday for his alleged involvement in a PPP loan scheme in Texas. The Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office said several people, including Sr. John, allegedly attempted to defraud the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program during the 2020 lockdown.

Documents state that the 18 defendants received more than $3.5 million in total for 16 separate business loans. Additionally, the leaders of the alleged scheme were identified as Michael Hill and Andrew Moran.

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A statement was later released on St, John’s Instagram where it denied his involvement in the COVID wire fraud scheme.

” Austin St. John is a father, husband, role model and friend to many. The indictment detailed today is populated by a multitude of individuals – the majority of which Austin has no knowledge of, and has never met or interacted with. It is our understanding that Austin put his faith, reputation, and finances in the hands of third parties whose goals were self-centered and ultimately manipulated and betrayed his trust. We expect Austin’s legal team to successfully defend against these charges and lead to his ultimate exoneration. We ask that you respect the privacy of Austin’s family in light of this serious situation, and thank you for your support.- Zachery McGinnis”

St. John is infamously known for his role on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and left during the second season. However, he’s made cameos throughout the franchise’s run.

Fans reacted to the news by posting various memes about the situation and questioned why the actor would participate in the scheme. Other actors who also played the Red Ranger were also arrested in the past for various crimes.  Ricardo Medina Jr. from “Power Rangers Wild Force” was convicted of manslaughter in 2017 for stabbing his roommate with a sword. He was later sentenced to serve 6 years in prison.

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