Semi-Pro Rugby Agrees to Plea Deal in Crypto Investment Scam
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Seattle semi-pro rugby player Shane Donovan Moore, the defendant in a high-profile wire fraud case, entered a plea agreement in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Moore, who is accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud investors in cryptocurrency ventures, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud. This charge, specified in Count 1 of the indictment, falls under Title 18 of the United States Code, Sections 1343 and 2. By entering this plea, Moore has waived his right to a jury trial, acknowledging that he understands the implications of his guilty plea.
As part of the plea agreement, the defendant admitted to knowingly participating in a fraudulent scheme aimed at obtaining money from investors through false pretenses. The agreement outlines several key elements of the offense, including the requirement that the statements made by Moore were material and had the potential to influence investors. Furthermore, it establishes that he acted with the intent to deceive and used interstate wire communications as a critical component of the scheme.
The consequences of pleading guilty to wire fraud are significant. Moore faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with potential financial penalties, including a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, he may be subjected to a period of supervised release of up to three years following imprisonment. The plea agreement also notes that a special assessment fee of $100 will apply, and if probation is granted, it could last for up to five years.
Moore’s fraudulent activities are believed to have occurred between January 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022. He operated a company called Quantum Donovan, presenting himself as an expert in cryptocurrency. During this time, he solicited investments from individuals under false pretenses, assuring them that their funds would be used for cryptocurrency mining operations. Instead, Moore allegedly misappropriated these funds for personal expenses and to maintain the appearance of a successful business.
The plea agreement details that Moore misled investors by promising returns of 1% on their investment daily for specified periods. In reality, he commingled investor funds with his personal accounts, using the money to finance his lifestyle rather than investing it as promised. An investigation revealed that Moore and Quantum Donovan received over $900,000 from various investors across multiple states, including Washington, Utah, Oregon, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
As part of the plea deal, Moore has agreed to make restitution to the victim-investors in the amount of $387,753.55. This restitution will be due immediately upon the entry of judgment in the case. Moore will also be required to provide a Financial Disclosure Statement detailing his financial circumstances and any assets he controls. The agreement mandates that he disclose all assets and cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in enforcing these financial obligations.
In addition to restitution, the plea agreement includes a forfeiture provision, whereby Moore will forfeit any property that constitutes or is traceable to the proceeds obtained from his fraudulent activities. This includes a forfeiture money judgment of $386,433.92, reflecting the unrecovered proceeds from the wire fraud scheme.
The plea agreement further states that the United States Attorney’s Office has agreed not to prosecute Moore for any additional offenses related to the conduct underlying this case. However, the agreement is contingent on Moore’s compliance with its terms, including his cooperation in the investigation and sentencing process.
Moore will also waive his rights to appeal any conviction or rulings made prior to the sentencing. The agreement clearly stipulates that the Court retains the authority to determine the appropriate sentencing range based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which will take into account the nature and circumstances of the offense as well as the impact on the victims.
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