A Nigerian Instagram influencer, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges filed against him by the United States government.
In a plea agreement document filed at a U.S. Central District Court of California, Hushpuppi agreed to plead guilty as charged.
Hushpuppi who was also accused of internet fraud now risks 20-year jail term when declared guilty.
The document was signed by Hushpuppi; his lawyer, Loius Shapiro; acting United States attorney, Tracy Wilkison, amongst others.
This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by the court titled, ‘Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds’.
His plea agreement stated further that he will now be pleading guilty to Count Two which is “Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering,” an offence that attracts a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment among other punishments including full restitution.
Recall that the 38-year-old man, who was made popular by his luxurious lifestyle on social media, was arrested in Dubai by Emerati police officers and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) operatives in June 2020 and was subsequently extradited to the United States.