A popular YouTuber who flaunted his extravagant lifestyle online is now facing the consequences of his illegal activities. Bill Omar Carrasquillo, better known as “Omi In a Hellcat”, was convicted in a criminal scheme that involved selling pirated content to subscribers through his platform. As part of his sentence, he has to pay $15 million in restitution fees and forfeit $30 million worth of assets, including over 55 vehicles and jewelry. The U.S. Marshals Service will be auctioning off his collection this week in Maryland.
The rise and fall of Omi In a Hellcat
Carrasquillo, 36, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, started his YouTube channel in 2018 and quickly gained popularity for showing off his lavish lifestyle. He claimed to be a self-made millionaire who earned his fortune from developing apps and software. He often posted videos of himself driving expensive cars, wearing flashy jewelry, and living in a mansion.
However, behind the scenes, Carrasquillo was running a fraudulent operation that violated the intellectual property rights of major media companies. He and his associates created a platform called Gears Reloaded, which offered access to thousands of live TV channels and on-demand movies and shows for a monthly fee. They used servers and devices to illegally stream and distribute the copyrighted content to more than 40,000 subscribers, generating millions of dollars in revenue.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Carrasquillo and his co-defendants laundered the proceeds of their scheme through various bank accounts and shell companies. They also used the money to buy luxury goods and real estate properties.
In November 2019, federal agents raided Carrasquillo’s home and seized dozens of his vehicles, computers, and other items. He was indicted in August 2020 on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, money laundering, and wire fraud. He pleaded guilty in June 2021 and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.
The auction of a lifetime
The U.S. Marshals Service will be hosting a public auction of Carrasquillo’s forfeited assets on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. The auction will feature over 55 vehicles and jewelry items that reflect Carrasquillo’s extravagant taste.
Some of the highlights include:
- A Power Ranger-wrapped Lamborghini Huracan
- A Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl ring
- A Rolls-Royce Ghost
- A Dodge Charger Hellcat
- A Harley-Davidson motorcycle
- A Rolex watch
- A diamond necklace
Potential buyers can attend a public viewing of the items on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at the same location. They can also bid online through the website of Apple Auctioneering Co., the contractor hired by the U.S. Marshals Service to conduct the auction.
The proceeds from the sales will go toward paying the restitution fees owed by Carrasquillo and his co-defendants to the victims of their crime. The U.S. Marshals Service will also use some of the funds to support its asset forfeiture program, which aims to disrupt and deter criminal activities by depriving offenders of their ill-gotten gains.
A lesson for criminals and consumers
The U.S. Marshals Service hopes that the auction will send a message to criminals that crime does not pay. Jennifer Crane, the assistant chief of the asset forfeiture division, said: “If you drive a car and you facilitate a criminal act, we could seize the car. Or if you commit a criminal act, you make money, and you purchase the car through your proceeds, we can take the car.”
The case also serves as a warning to consumers who may be tempted by cheap or free access to pirated content online. The U.S. Attorney’s Office urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious streaming services or devices that may infringe on the rights of legitimate content providers.
As for Carrasquillo, he has expressed remorse for his actions and vowed to change his ways. He said in a video posted on his YouTube channel before his sentencing: “I made a mistake. I’m paying for it dearly. I’m going to come back stronger than ever.”