SAN ANTONIO – The jury has reached a unanimous guilty verdict in the criminal fraud trial of state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio.

Uresti faced 11 counts of defrauding people in what prosecutors are calling a Ponzi scheme. He is accused of money laundering and fraud.

Federal prosecutors argued that Uresti intentionally deceived investors for his own personal gain. The District 19 elected official's lawyers argued that Uresti was a mere “finder,” who was unfamiliar with how the now-defunct FourWinds oil field company operated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell told the jury on Jan. 23 that Uresti and co-defendant Gary Cain knew the company was failing, and lied to potential investors that it was successful. The business partners are accused of defrauding investor Denise Cantu of $800,000.

The senator's downtown San Antonio law office was raided by the FBI in February of 2016. Three months later he was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy. 

Uresti could now face time in prison and lose his 21-year political career as a State Senator. Following the jury's announcement, Uresti said he plans to appeal the verdict.