Central Valley man sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for a $10 million real estate fraud scheme
FRESNO, Calif. / Monday, September 28, 2026 — Gilberto Barron, 26, formerly of Delano and Las Vegas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to seven years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and aggravated identity theft relating to his participation in a $10 million real estate fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.
“Barron chose to engage in a multimillion‑dollar fraud scheme, and today’s sentence makes clear that such criminal conduct will be met with substantial punishment,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue criminals who think they can hide behind false identities or fabricated documents. We will hold them accountable every time.”
“This sentencing marks a critical step in holding Mr. Barron accountable for the harm his scheme caused and in providing justice for his victims,” said IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe. “Mr. Barron didn’t just steal money. He took advantage of people’s trust by subverting an American financial system for his own gain. IRS-CI scrupulously follows the money, uncovers the truth, and ensures that individuals behind schemes like this are brought to justice.”
According to court records, in 2021 and 2022, Barron and others conspired with federal inmate Seth Depiano, 45, formerly of Clovis, to commit the fraud charged in this case. At the time, Depiano was serving a 12-year prison sentence for a prior, multimillion-dollar fraud (Case No. 1:17-cr-172 DAD). Depiano, assisted by Barron and others, helped create fake identities for supposed real estate agents and shell companies that mirrored the names of legitimate real estate companies. They then used the fake identities and shell companies to market various properties online that were not actually for sale to would-be buyers in California’s Central Valley and elsewhere at discounted prices. This included properties where the actual owners had died.
Barron and others would meet with the buyers using the fake identities and close the sales. They even went so far as to present the buyers with fabricated deeds, title reports, and other real estate documents to substantiate the sales.
After getting the would-be buyers’ money, Depiano, Barron, and others would launder the funds primarily through Las Vegas casinos. For example, they would travel to the casinos, put large amounts of money into gaming machines, and quickly cash out with little to no gaming activity. They did this to try to hide the fact that the money was proceeds from their fraudulent scheme. They would then use the money to purchase properties for their own benefit.
Barron pleaded guilty on June 29, 2026.
Zahria Barber, 29, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on June 29, 2026, to one year in prison for her involvement in the scheme. She helped launder money in the casinos, and in exchange, she received payments toward some of her living expenses and student loans.
Depiano pleaded guilty and was sentenced in January 2026 to nine years in federal prison. This sentence is in addition to the 12 years he was already serving and makes for a total sentence of 21 years in prison.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the Bakersfield Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the FBI and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody Chapple and Joseph Barton prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California
