Scott County man convicted of securities fraud

Sentenced to eight years

Travis Roll, a resident of Scottsburg, was sentenced on three felony counts of securities fraud in Scott County today.  Roll was sentenced to eight years; four to be served in the Department of Correction and four to be served on probation. He is ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution to the victims. One of the counts is an elevated level four felony because a victim was over the age of 60 when the fraud occurred. Roll was charged with these crimes following an investigation by Secretary of State Connie Lawson and Scott County Prosecutor Chris Owens.

The investigation began after several investors, including numerous friends of Roll’s, complained to the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office when they did not receive payment pursuant to investment contracts.  Roll, who had a reputation for successfully investing on his own, held himself out to others as a trader of agriculture futures.  Neither Roll nor the investment contracts were registered with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, as required by law.  Once investment funds were received by Roll, they were not invested, but rather used to finance Roll’s lifestyle in Austin, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada.  Roll has remained in jail since his arrest in January 2018.

“This is not the first time an individual has earned the trust of Hoosiers and defrauded them instead.” said Secretary Lawson. “We urge investors to do their homework before investing and to contact the Secretary of State’s office if anything seems suspicious. I would like to thank Prosecutor Chris Owens for his quick assistance and the Prosecution Assistance Unit of my office for their dedicated work in pursuing this case.”

“Unfortunately Mr. Roll took advantage of his friendships to defraud people in multiple counties within Indiana, including Scott County.  When people of Scott County are victimized, our office is dedicated to seeing that the offenders are held accountable,” stated Scott County Prosecutor Chris Owens.  Prosecutor Owens further stated, “Programs like the one utilized in this case, where local prosecutor’s offices can team up with the resources and manpower within the Secretary of State’s Office, are valuable tools to help ensure the protection of Hoosier Citizens.  I am thankful for Secretary Lawson and the resources provided in this matter by her office.”

The Secretary of State’s office offers assistance to local prosecutors through the prosecution assistance unit. This unit assists law enforcement with the prosecution of white collar crimes.

“Unfortunately fraud happens when you least expect it, sometimes involving people you trust and have known for a long time.  If something sounds too good to be true, please contact our office.” said Securities Commissioner Alex Glass. 

For information on how to avoid becoming a victim of investment fraud, visit www.in.gov/sos.