Texas man gets 18 months in scam attempt on George Santos, Danny Masterson

BROOKLYN (CN) — Hector Medina was sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempting to extract money from ex-U.S. Representative George Santos and “That 70s Show” actor Danny Masterson, among others.

Medina, 37, pleaded guilty last September after a federal investigation revealed he sent texts, images and videos to Santos and other high-profile criminal defendants, promising he could get their charges dropped in exchange for a large sum. According to court documents, Medina hoped to use the scam to settle $100,000 in gambling debts.

“If you’re interested, I can get everything dropped, evidence that is on you removed, disappeared,” Medina said in one message to Santos. “Reach out to me if you’re interested.”

Prosecutors say Medina, who used the alias Michael Soto, also sent Santos and Masterson a fake photo ID to convince them of his feigned credibility.

Medina has had three previous convictions related to fraud and theft since 2016 and has managed to avoid jail time each time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Grubin said that simply receiving probation is not enough, pointing out that each time he’s convicted Medina commits another crime.

“And the crimes seem to be getting worse,” Grubin said.

But Medina said he only committed those crimes because of his then-worsening gambling addiction and crippling debts.

While U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis seemed to sympathize and noted Medina’s efforts to see a therapist in the year since, he pointed out that the Texas native has yet to sustain substantial “judicial intervention.”

“It’s an obligation of the court to make sure the point is received,” Garaufis said.

Santos entered his own guilty plea for wire fraud and identity theft in August, effectively ending the legal saga stemming from allegations that spurred his December 2023 expulsion from Congress. His sentencing is currently scheduled for April 25.

When he appeared in court for Medina’s guilty plea last September, Santos said this case was his last “pending issue” as a member of Congress.

“It felt like unfinished business,” Santos said.

While Santos did not appear in person for Wednesday’s hearing, he wrote a letter to the court sympathizing with Medina’s addiction.

“It was not a crime of violence and there was no actual loss by any of Mr. Medina’s victims,” Santos said.

But Garaufis found the letter “astounding,” and added that he thought it was unhelpful for his decision.

“It is a demonstration of the fact that he is as much of a perpetrator in this kind of behavior, or similar behavior, as is this defendant,” Garaufis said of Santos’ letter. “It’s a demonstration of cowardice. It’s a demonstration of the lack of character.”

Medina also made similar attempts with Masterson, who was found guilty of rape last May. According to the government’s sentencing memo, Medina also tried to convince Masterson’s then-spouse to send him money under the guise it would protect the “That 70’s Show” actor.

“I can get your husband out of jail, or at least time serve by his next court date,” Medina said in one text to Masterson’s then-wife and model Bijou Phillips. “Now this has to stay between us. If you’re interested, there is a fee.”

Prosecutors say they are not aware of any individuals who sent Medina money as part of his scam.

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