By Facts News Group Staff
Dallas, Texas (Northern District of Texas) · Indictment announced Oct. 26, 2026 · U.S. Attorney's Office news release and federal grand jury indictment
A North Texas woman is accused of using three companies and fabricated payroll paperwork to obtain about $680,000 in pandemic relief loans, then moving part of the money into a home and to an associate, according to a federal indictment announced Oct. 26 by U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould of the Northern District of Texas. April Watson, 50, also known as April Watson Horton and April Shawnette Watson, faces 10 counts.
Status at a glance
- Confirmed: A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment: four counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and four counts of money laundering (DOJ release; indictment).
- Confirmed: Watson made her initial court appearance Oct. 23 (DOJ release).
- Alleged: The fraud scheme, the loan amounts obtained and the transfers described below are allegations in the indictment.
- Unknown: Plea, attorney, detention or bond status and trial date were not stated in the release.
What the indictment alleges
Prosecutors allege that from April 2020 to October 2021, Watson submitted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications for three businesses: Exotic Bliss Beauty LLC, Brain Evolution LLC and Southern Home Ventures LLC. The indictment alleges the applications were supported by fabricated IRS W-2 and W-3 forms and payroll records.
According to the indictment and the release, the applications brought in:
- $210,698 in PPP funds through lender Kabbage
- $299,800 in an EIDL loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration
- $169,994 in PPP funds through JPMorgan Chase
Prosecutors allege Watson then transferred more than $114,000 toward a personal residence and $40,000 to an associate. The government is seeking forfeiture of a residence in Cedar Hill, Texas. Facts News Group has removed the street address and the associate's name from its copy of the indictment.
The charges explained
Wire fraud carries a maximum of 20 years in federal prison per count, bank fraud a maximum of 30 years and money laundering under 18 U.S.C. 1957 a maximum of 10 years, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Maximum penalties are set by statute; any sentence after a conviction would be decided by a judge.
Watson has not been convicted. An indictment is an accusation, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Court and docket status
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise Aldendifer, according to the release.
Documents
Still unknown
- Whether Watson has entered a plea or has an attorney, and whether she has commented.
- Her detention or release conditions and the next court date.
Sources
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas, "Federal Grand Jury Indicts North Texas Woman for $680,000 COVID Fraud and Money Laundering," Oct. 26, 2026 – justice.gov
- Indictment, United States v. April Watson (N.D. Tex.) – justice.gov (PDF)
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