A former controller for a Texas freight brokerage has admitted to defrauding his employer of more than $3.2 million over 18 months, prompting renewed warnings from federal investigators about internal fraud risks in the transportation sector.
Details of the Scheme
Mitchell David Slentz, 34, of Kyle, Texas, pleaded guilty on June 29 to one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived proceeds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. As controller of Austin Freight Systems, Slentz oversaw accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. He also submitted payment requests to JPMorgan Chase Bank for company vendors.
Prosecutors alleged that between October 2023 and March 2025, Slentz fraudulently misappropriated company funds through 147 separate payments totaling approximately $3,277,937.35, which he deposited into his personal bank accounts via interstate wire communications. Court documents detail how Slentz used some of the stolen money:
| Payment Date | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| July 24, 2024 | Student loan payment | $25,000 |
| Sept. 3, 2024 | Student loan payment | $33,887.83 |
| Various | Online gambling deposits/winnings | Over $1 million |
Company Response
Austin Freight Systems, a 30-year-old brokerage, confirmed the thefts occurred between late 2023 and early 2025. In a statement to FreightWaves, CFO and owner George K. Copeland and CEO and owner Brian Sutton said, "The wheels of justice move very slowly." The company described itself as financially sound and operating in "a business-as-usual fashion." It noted its 28-year membership in the Transportation Intermediaries Association, a 97 credit rating with DAT, an A+ rating with Truckstop.com, and recognition as a Best Broker by the National Association of Small Trucking Companies.
The company stated it has "fine-tuned our financial processes to prevent any such incidence from occurring again" and said it "eagerly await[s] sentencing for these crimes." No additional details on the process changes were provided.
Investigation and Sentencing
Slentz was charged by information on May 14 and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin M. Howell on June 8. The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Somers and was investigated by the FBI Austin White Collar Crime Task Force.
Special Agent in Charge Daniel Faith of the FBI San Antonio Field Office emphasized the threat to the transportation industry: "Whether it's internal fraud or cyber-enabled cargo theft, financial crimes threaten the transportation sector, a critical infrastructure sector that underpins our nation's economy, and can severely disrupt business operations and the flow of commerce." He added, "The FBI Austin White Collar Crime Task Force remains committed to investigating these crimes and holding accountable those who exploit positions of trust or target businesses for financial gain."
The Justice Department has not yet announced a sentencing date. A federal district judge will determine Slentz's sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Implications for Logistics Operators
For freight forwarders, 3PLs, and brokerages, this case highlights the critical need for robust internal financial controls. Even a trusted controller with access to payment systems can cause significant financial damage over time. Companies should implement segregation of duties, regular audits, and automated transaction monitoring to detect anomalies like unauthorized vendor payments or unusual bank deposits. The FBI encourages anyone suspecting fraudulent activity to report it to a local FBI field office or via IC3.gov.
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