Antone Thomas Pedras also known as Chris Pedras (64) appeared in a United States District Court, Central California District on 3 October charged with federal investment fraud after being extradited from Tonga on 28 September, escorted by three U.S Marshals.

Tonga Police confirmed today the accused was escorted on an Air New Zealand flight bound for Los Angeles after transferring custody to the U.S Marshals Service.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice in the Central District of California stated the American citizen was returned to face 11 counts of wire fraud in connection with several fraudulent investment schemes.

In a first superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on August 6, 2014 he was charged with inducing investors to give money to Maxum Gold Trade Program, which he claimed was a low risk investment with monthly returns ranging between 4-8 percent.

He is also charged with soliciting investments in the FMP Renal Program, which he claimed would be publicly traded and would operate kidney dialysis clinics in New Zealand. To add to his false claims to his investors, he created a false accounts statements for the Maxum website.

U.S. Attorney General Eileen M. Decker said those who commit fraud charges against residents of the United States would not escape punishment simply by residing overseas.

"This case and the extradition demonstrate the commitment of the Department of Justice to holding responsible for their actions criminals both here and outside of the country that commit fraud charges against U.S. residents."

If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Pedras faces a statutory maximum sentence of 220-years in prison.

His next court appearance is set for November.

Appeal dismissed

On September 14, the Appeal Court in Nuku'alofa dismissed Pedras appeal and ordered him to voluntarily surrender himself into custody to be returned to the USA to face the fraud charges.

He is alleged to have defrauded investors of more than US$5 million.