Gilberto Barron, 26, formerly of Delano and Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft for his role in a nearly $10 million real estate fraud scheme. U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced the plea, which involved federal inmate Seth Depiano.
Court records show that in 2021 and 2022, Barron and others conspired with Depiano, 44, of Clovis, who was already serving a 12-year prison sentence for a prior fraud. They created fake identities for real estate agents and shell companies mirroring legitimate ones to market properties not for sale, including those of deceased owners, to would-be buyers in California's Central Valley and elsewhere at discounted prices.
Barron and his co-conspirators met with buyers using these fake identities, presenting fabricated deeds and title reports to finalize sales. After obtaining the buyers' money, the funds were laundered primarily through Las Vegas casinos. Barron and others would deposit large sums into gaming machines and quickly cash out to obscure the money's fraudulent origin, subsequently using it to purchase properties for themselves.
Barron is scheduled for sentencing on September 28, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. He faces a maximum of 20 years for wire fraud and money laundering, plus a mandatory minimum of two consecutive years for aggravated identity theft. Zahria Barber, 28, of Las Vegas, received a one-year prison sentence for her involvement in laundering money. Depiano was sentenced in January 2026 to an additional nine years, bringing his total sentence to 21 years. The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Bakersfield Police Department, with assistance from the FBI and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office.