Man Indicted On 3rd Degree Felony Theft Over State Hemp Licenses

Austin TX

23 August, 2021

1:36 PM

Description

TRAVIS COUNTY, TX — Travis County District Attorney José Garza has announced the indictment of Keenan Lopez Williams on a third-degree felony theft charge. Williams, 53, is accused of swindling money out of potential business investors in a bid to buy hemp licenses from the state, according to an affidavit released by the district attorney's office on Friday. The DA's office alleged that Williams misrepresented the process to obtain a hemp license and lied about the spending of about $77,500 provided by investors, according to the affidavit. In the affidavit, Texas Rangers report Williams told investigators all the money given to him was used to pay hemp consultants, growers and breeders for information. However, after inspecting William's bank account, Rangers discovered all the money was being used for "personal finances." Authorities said Williams also deceived potential investors by claiming he had connections to politicians and elected leaders that could result in a "pay for play" dynamic. "I reviewed Keenan Williams's Facebook public page, which has photos of Keenan Williams and a number of state and federal elected officials, thus giving credibility to Keenan Williams' deception of providing certain services to guarantee a hemp license," said Brad Weatherford, the Texas Ranger who investigated Williams. Garza said Williams is out on a surety bond after being arrested in February 2021. His case will be prosecuted by the District Attorney's Office's Public Integrity Unit and is pending in the 460th District Court. "The Travis County District Attorney's office continues to work with the Texas Rangers to protect the integrity of the political system in Texas," said Rob Drummond, Assistant District Attorney and Team Lead for the Public Integrity Unit. "We will hold accountable those who violate laws and threaten the integrity of our governance." RELATED COVERAGE:Austin Homes Are 'Flying Off The Shelves': HomesUSA Reports Have You Seen This Man? Austin PD Needs Your Help Man In Stable Condition After Being Shot By Austin Police