Austin Freight Systems Controller Pleads Guilty in $3.2M Embezzlement

Mitchell David Slentz, 34, of Kyle, Texas, pleaded guilty June 29 to wire fraud and monetary transactions involving criminally derived proceeds after allegedly stealing more than $3.2 million from Austin Freight Systems, a Texas freight brokerage, according to FreightWaves and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. Slentz oversaw accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls at the company while also submitting payment requests to JPMorgan Chase Bank. Court documents allege he completed 147 fraudulent payments totaling approximately $3,277,937.35 between October 2023 and March 2025, depositing the money into personal bank accounts through interstate wire transfers. Prosecutors say Slentz used stolen funds to pay $25,000 toward student loans on July 24, 2024, and another $33,887.83 on September 3, 2024. Financial records showed deposits and gambling winnings exceeding $1 million through an online gambling platform. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Somers is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI Austin White Collar Crime Task Force. Austin Freight Systems, a 30-year-old brokerage and 28-year TIA member, confirmed the thefts and said the company remains financially sound and operating normally. CEO and owner Brian Sutton and CFO and owner George K. Copeland stated in a statement that the company has strengthened its financial processes to prevent future incidents. The brokerage maintains a 97 credit rating with DAT, an A+ rating with Truckstop.com, and recognition as a Best Broker by the National Association of Small Trucking Companies.