Federal prosecutors in North Texas have announced a new indictment against Richard Reinaldo Garcia, an Arlington, Texas resident with ties to several Arlington and Mansfield churches – Gracia Church, in connection with an alleged faith-based investment fraud scheme involving church-related entities.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth on June 2, 2026, for one count of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. The indictment was publicly announced on July 14, 2026. The government alleges that Garcia and others solicited money from victims by promising significant profits through church-related investment opportunities, including “church flipping” real estate improvement projects, Christian music concert ventures, and other church programs.
(U.S. Department of Justice — Northern District of Texas)

The DOJ says more than 50 victims across the United States and internationally paid over $3.2 million to Garcia as a result of the alleged scheme. The FBI is now seeking information from potential victims through a dedicated victim questionnaire.
FBI Victim Questionnaire — English
FBI Victim Questionnaire — Spanish

What Prosecutors Allege

According to the indictment described by the DOJ, from approximately August 2021 through April 2025, Garcia and others allegedly made false material statements to induce victims to enter into agreements and provide funds for investment opportunities. These alleged opportunities included:

  • “Church flipping” real estate improvement projects;
  • Joint ventures to host Christian music concerts;
  • Other church programs and religiously affiliated ventures.

The government alleges that Garcia used victim funds for his own personal expenses and business operating expenses rather than for the promised investment purposes.
(U.S. Department of Justice — Northern District of Texas)

Entities Named in the Allegations

The indictment alleges that Garcia controlled bank accounts in church-related entity names, including:

  • Ministerio Gracia
  • Iglesia Gracia de Texas
  • Gracia Church of Texas
  • Pesar de Todo, LLC

According to prosecutors, Garcia allegedly directed some victims to transfer funds into accounts held in these entity names and to label the transfers as “donations” for Gracia Church, even though the money was allegedly solicited for use in the fraudulent investment scheme.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice — Northern District of Texas

Why the “Donation” Label May Matter

One of the most important facts for potential victims is the government’s allegation that some transfers were labeled as “donations.”

Victims should not assume they have no rights simply because a wire transfer, check, receipt, or bank memo used the word “donation.” In financial fraud cases, the surrounding facts may matter, including what was promised, how the opportunity was described, whether profits were discussed, whether repayment was expected, and whether written or verbal representations were made before the money was transferred.

Relevant evidence may include:

  • Emails;
  • Text messages;
  • WhatsApp or social media messages;
  • Wire confirmations;
  • Bank statements;
  • Donation receipts;
  • Investment agreements;
  • Joint venture agreements;
  • Promissory notes;
  • Marketing materials;
  • Church project documents;
  • Concert venture materials;
  • Communications with Garcia or anyone who promoted the transaction.

FBI Seeking Potential Victims

The FBI’s Dallas Division is actively seeking to identify potential victims of Richard R. Garcia, Gracia Church, and A Pesar de Todo. The FBI victim form asks whether individuals invested in or provided funds connected to Ministerio Gracia, Gracia Church, A Pesar de Todo, MG Kingdom, or other companies affiliated with Richard R. Garcia.

The FBI victim outreach is significant because it suggests investigators are still gathering information from people who may have been affected. Potential victims should preserve all records before submitting information or relying solely on the criminal process.

Criminal Charges Do Not Guarantee Full Recovery

A criminal indictment is an important development, but it does not automatically mean victims will recover all of their losses.

Even if prosecutors obtain a conviction, victim repayment may depend on several factors, including:

  • Whether assets can be located;
  • Whether funds can be traced;
  • Whether forfeiture is available;
  • Whether restitution is ordered;
  • Whether the defendant has the ability to pay;
  • Whether third parties may bear responsibility;
  • Whether victims have separate civil claims.

The DOJ states that Garcia’s case is currently set for trial in Fort Worth on October 13, 2026. If convicted, Garcia faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud and conspiracy count, plus a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.

Faith-Based Investment Fraud and Affinity Fraud

This case involves allegations of what is commonly called affinity fraud — a scheme in which victims are targeted through a shared community, identity, religion, culture, profession, or social network.

Faith-based affinity fraud can be especially difficult for victims because the alleged misconduct may involve people they trusted through a church or religious community. Victims may feel embarrassed, conflicted, or reluctant to come forward. But fraud victims should understand that trust, friendship, church affiliation, or community ties are often precisely what make affinity schemes effective.

Common warning signs of faith-based investment fraud include:

  • Promises of unusually high returns;
  • Pressure to act quickly;
  • Requests to label investments as donations;
  • Lack of written investment documents;
  • Vague explanations about how profits will be generated;
  • Claims that the opportunity is blessed, exclusive, or available only within a church community;
  • Use of religious trust to discourage questions;
  • Requests to wire money to church-related accounts for business or investment purposes.

Could Victims Have Recovery Options?

Potential victims may have recovery options depending on the facts. These may include:

  • Restitution through the criminal case;
  • Asset forfeiture or victim compensation processes;
  • Civil claims against individuals or entities involved in the alleged scheme;
  • Claims related to misrepresentations or fraudulent inducement;
  • Claims involving promoters, referral sources, or other third parties;
  • Claims based on written agreements, joint venture documents, or repayment promises.

Every case is fact-specific. The key questions include who solicited the money, what promises were made, how the funds were transferred, whether the victim received any payments back, and whether any third parties helped promote or facilitate the transaction.

What Potential Victims Should Preserve Now

Individuals who transferred money to or through Richard Reinaldo Garcia, Ministerio Gracia, Iglesia Gracia de Texas, Gracia Church of Texas, Pesar de Todo, LLC, A Pesar de Todo, MG Kingdom, or related entities should preserve:

  • Bank statements;
  • Wire transfer records;
  • ACH confirmations;
  • Canceled checks;
  • Donation receipts;
  • Investment contracts;
  • Joint venture agreements;
  • Promissory notes;
  • Emails;
  • Text messages;
  • WhatsApp messages;
  • Social media messages;
  • Promotional videos or flyers;
  • Church project materials;
  • Concert investment materials;
  • Notes from meetings or calls;
  • Names of anyone who recommended the transaction;
  • Records of any payments or distributions received.

Victims should also make a timeline showing when they first heard about the opportunity, who introduced it, what they were told, when they transferred funds, and whether they were later promised repayment.

Local News Coverage

Local news outlets have also begun covering the indictment. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported that Garcia allegedly persuaded investors to finance church renovation projects in Arlington, Texarkana, and Lubbock, as well as Christian concerts in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Univision Dallas-Fort Worth also reported on the allegations, noting that victims allegedly sent money to accounts controlled by Garcia and linked to names such as Ministerio Gracia, Gracia Church of Texas, and Pesar de Todo LLC.
Univision Dallas-Fort Worth

Bottom Line for Victims

Individuals who transferred money connected to Richard Reinaldo Garcia, Gracia Church, Ministerio Gracia, Iglesia Gracia de Texas, Pesar de Todo, LLC, A Pesar de Todo, MG Kingdom, or related church-linked ventures should act quickly to preserve documents and evaluate potential recovery options.

The FBI is seeking victim information now, and the criminal case may address restitution. However, criminal proceedings do not always result in full repayment. Victims may need to consider whether additional civil recovery options exist based on who solicited the investment, what was promised, where the money went, and whether any third parties participated in or benefited from the alleged scheme.

Important note: An indictment is only an allegation. Garcia is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.