United States of America v. Kevin Ryan Straw

Lexington, Kentucky, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charted with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

Reported by: Kent Morlan

Between 2021 and 2024, Kevin Ryan Straw, 40,, of Lexington, Kentucky served as President of Metropolitan Lodge 32, Fraternal Order of Police, based in Louisville, Ky., and, at various times, served as the Vice President and Government Affairs Chair of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, based in Frankfort, Ky. Straw devised a scheme to defraud both FOP Lodges and numerous individual victims of money through materially false pretenses, representations, and promises. Straw defrauded individuals through an investment fraud scheme, defrauding at least ten individuals out of a total of $80,340. In addition, Straw misappropriated $49,760 from Metro Lodge 32 through cash withdrawals he falsely claimed were made to transfer the funds to a different Metro Lodge 32 account. Finally, Straw charged $15,501.48 in personal expenses to the State FOP credit card and requested reimbursement from the State FOP for $41,562.97 in travel expenses not incurred. In total, Straw defrauded $187,164.45 from Metro Lodge 32, the State FOP, and the investment fraud victims.

In one victim impact statement, the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police stated, “Ryan Straw was given access, authority, and confidence because of promises he made to our organization. That trust was violated. The harm resulting from such a violation is particularly severe because the Kentucky State FOP relies heavily on trust to function effectively. We ask the Court to recognize that crimes involving dishonesty and abuse of trust have consequences that extend far beyond monetary restitution. They damage institutions, undermine confidence, fracture relationships, and leave scars on the organizations and people affected.”

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay $187,164.45 in restitution.