Brett Detamore, a Houston developer who garnered attention last year after his disappearance, is now faced with federal wire fraud charges. Detamore, whose vanishing act triggered a search that culminated with him being found at a San Antonio bus stop, is accused of misappropriating at least $1.5 million from investors, purportedly spent on high-end luxuries such as Super Bowl tickets and encounters with athletes. This information comes from the Houston Chronicle.

According to the allegations, court documents indicate Detamore used "false and fraudulent invoices" to divert funds meant for real estate development projects. One instance, as detailed by court records, involved about $400,000 from bank loans for a West University home, which instead, officials claim went directly into Detamore's pockets. Further aggravating the situation, the homeowner allegedly shelled out over $85,000 for vendor work that remained unpaid. Found burned in Bear Creek Park days before Detamore surfaced, his truck sparked a mystery only to later suggest a possible predetermined escape, as recounted by police sources to FOX 26.

Now, with the charges pending, Detamore is preparing for his initial court appearance scheduled for August 12, as remarked by the U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Under his business, Detamore Development LLC, he had been functioning as a custom home builder before the revelation of these fraudulent activities. Faced with the gravity of these accusations, Detamore's attorney has refrained from issuing any comments, leaving public conjecture to build upon the facts presented by federal prosecutors.

If Detamore is found guilty of these charges, he could be staring down punishment that includes up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine that may run as high as $250,000, and a demand for restitution in full to the victims.