Carolina Correa was not an obscure figure operating in the shadows. At 35, the Rhode Island entrepreneur, real estate owner, fundraiser, and nonprofit leader who had cultivated a polished public image as a rising business and philanthropic force. Yet on Feb. 4, 2026, she was sentenced in federal court in Boston to 42 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $150,000 fine, and $350,000 in forfeiture after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors proved that Correa played a leading role in laundering approximately $450,000 in fentanyl trafficking proceeds generated by her then-boyfriend, Jasdrual Perez, who is serving 22.5 years in prison for leading a massive fentanyl trafficking conspiracy responsible for manufacturing and distributing millions of counterfeit pills.

Marijuana Dispensary Received “Business” Investments

According to court documents, Perez enlisted Correa in late 2021 to help conceal drug proceeds. Correa leveraged her business acumen and connections to funnel the funds into a Massachusetts marijuana dispensary where she secured an ownership stake and the title of CFO.

The scheme involved recruiting “investors,” transporting $350,000 in drug cash from Rhode Island to North Carolina, wiring funds through separate business accounts, drafting sham loan agreements and promissory notes and using legitimate business and attorney trust accounts to create an appearance of lawful investment. An additional $100,000 was laundered through a real estate investment company.

Intercepted communications revealed that while projecting legitimacy publicly, Correa privately described the operation as a hustle to “clean” drug money for financial gain.

A High-Profile Background

An investor presentation for the marijuana dispensary described Correa as joining the dispensary as CFO and highlighted that she had helped raise over $15 million as a major gifts officer for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on racial equity. She oversaw young professional affinity groups and served on executive committees. Correa’s resumé also mentioned her achievements as a founder of Bounty Trucking, operating an over-the-road fleet nationwide, a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, recognized by CNN as one of its “Top 20 Young People Who Rock,” and named a “Top 15 Young Hispanic Icon of America.”

Law Enforcement Statements: No One Is Immune

Federal authorities were unequivocal.

“Money launderers protect and strengthen an industry – the drug trafficking industry – that directly harms millions of people,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Ms. Correa thought she could outsmart the system and law enforcement while she was laundering at least half a million dollars in drug proceeds.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget added, “The DEA will hold accountable anyone who profits from this poison, no matter how they try to hide it.”

The message was clear: professional success and community standing do not insulate anyone from prosecution. Law enforcement emphasized that combating drug trafficking includes aggressively targeting financial facilitators, not just street-level dealers.

Money Laundering: A Federal Crime With Serious Consequences

Money laundering is not a secondary offense or technical violation. It is a standalone federal felony carrying significant prison time, steep fines, forfeiture of assets, and long-term supervision. Prosecutors frequently pursue these charges even when laundering is not the primary criminal enterprise.

The consequences extend beyond incarceration. Convictions can permanently damage professional reputations, business interests, licensure, and future opportunities.

The Importance of Experienced White-Collar Defense

Cases involving complex financial transactions, multi-state operations, business entities, and federal task forces demand sophisticated legal representation. Anyone accused of serious white-collar crimes such as money laundering must seek an experienced criminal defense attorney skilled in financial investigations, forensic accounting issues, and federal sentencing advocacy.

When reputations, businesses, and freedom are at stake, early and strategic defense is critical. At Dhar Law, LLP, we have decades of experience defending serious crimes in federal court. We understand that financial sophistication and public acclaim do not shield individuals from the resources of prosecutors and law enforcement. We work with high profile individuals and individuals from diverse Massachusetts communities.  We offer full translation services in all major languages to help people accused of serious crimes navigate their rights and prepare for their day in court. Contact a member of our award-winning money laundering criminal defense team at 617 880-6155 to learn more about how we can help build your case.