Antonio Penn, Former Maryland Coach And Athlete, Charged In Multi-State Fraud Using Dead Identities

Serious crime!

July 21, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on July 21, 2026

Antonio Penn, a man once celebrated for his athletic excellence and community leadership, is now at the center of a chilling, multi-state investigation into fraud.

Antonio Marquís Penn, a former professional athlete and the founder of the AP7 Performance Center, has been arrested.

He was charged in connection with a large-scale criminal enterprise that allegedly exploited the identities of deceased individuals to steal tens of thousands of dollars.

Antonio Penn Was Arrested On Fraud Accusations

Penn, 32, of Cumberland, Maryland, was arrested on June 10 as a Fugitive From Justice after an arrest warrant was issued by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

He is currently being held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center, pending extradition to Florida.

Antonio was once a promising athlete with a decorated college football career, including All-American First Team honors and a spot in the 2016 NFL Draft.

However, now he faces serious allegations that threaten to alter his public image permanently.

According to Florida prosecutors, Penn is accused of leading a RICO scheme that used the identities of 20 to 30 deceased individuals to defraud financial institutions and government agencies out of more than $50,000.

This sprawling operation allegedly involved creating fraudulent mortgages and loans, draining dormant accounts, cashing in on government benefits intended for the deceased, and running check fraud schemes.

Authorities say Penn’s background in mortgage lending helped him manipulate financial systems with chilling precision.

Antonio Penn Didn’t Work Alone

Prosecutors claim that Penn didn’t work alone. Several former M&T Bank employees have also been arrested in connection with the conspiracy:

Barbara Frazee, a former branch manager from Cumberland, was arrested in Mineral County, WV, and awaits extradition under a $300,000 cash bond.

Camala Shafer, a former teller at the same bank, was dramatically arrested at Ruby Memorial Hospital while accompanying her son for treatment.

She has pleaded not guilty and is resisting extradition.

Investigators believe two additional former bank employees from Cecil County, Maryland, were also involved, suggesting the fraud extended across multiple bank branches and jurisdictions.

How The Plot Unraveled?

Penn’s arrest first appeared in a routine local police blotter, but what seemed like a minor case quickly escalated.

A raid on his La Vale business followed, and soon, other arrests unfolded in Maryland and Florida, exposing what authorities describe as a well-organized and deeply embedded criminal network.

The case has gained further attention due to prosecutors invoking RICO laws, typically reserved for dismantling large criminal organizations.

This move enables them to link all actions of the accused under a single, unified conspiracy.

Antonio Penn Had A Shocking Fall From Grace

Penn’s alleged crimes have stunned many who once looked up to him.

In college, he was a defensive standout at Iowa Wesleyan University, later graduating from Liberty University with a 3.4 GPA and degrees in Business Management and Sports Management.

On the field, he was known for his power and precision, earning 63 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries during his collegiate career.

He was drafted into the NFL in 2016 and later turned his focus to entrepreneurship, launching a personal training center in Maryland.

For years, Penn was seen as a mentor and a role model.

Though Penn and several suspects were arrested in Maryland and West Virginia, Polk County, Florida, is leading the prosecution.

Investigators believe the illicit funds were ultimately funneled or laundered in Florida, possibly used to purchase property or assets.

Penn is facing at least six felony charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, organized fraud, felony theft, and fraud scheme.

Each charge carries serious consequences under Florida law, especially under the aggressive enforcement of RICO statutes.

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