Jiaan Cao Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy in Florida

Jiaan Cao, a 33-year-old Chinese national, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on May 6, 2026.

The Department of Justice announcement identifies only Cao as the defendant. It supplies no victim count, loss amount, or description of the alleged scheme. The case will advance directly to sentencing without a trial.

The guilty plea ends the trial phase. Cao admitted the elements of the conspiracy charge under federal law. The government no longer carries the burden of proving guilt at trial. The U.S. Probation Office will now prepare a presentence investigation report that examines Cao's background, role in the offense, and any financial impact.

Sentencing is fixed for July 31, 2026. The court will apply the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, consider any statutory factors, and determine the term of imprisonment up to the 20-year maximum. The judge may also address restitution, supervised release, and forfeiture if the facts support those measures.

This outcome closes the criminal prosecution against Cao in the district. Any restitution order would route through the Department of Justice collection process for distribution to identified victims. The conviction creates a permanent record that federal immigration authorities can reference in removal proceedings.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, under U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, released the plea information. That office covers 35 counties in central Florida and regularly prosecutes wire fraud cases that involve interstate or international communications.

Federal wire fraud statutes cover schemes executed through electronic transfers, telephone calls, or internet transmissions.

The plea follows the common path for federal fraud matters that conclude without trial. The Middle District of Florida maintains an active docket of similar prosecutions each year.