Holton Buggs Surrenders Assets in Traders Domain Ponzi Case
Holton Buggs, a key figure in the Traders Domain Ponzi scheme, has agreed to surrender significant assets to a court-appointed Receiver as part of an ongoing Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fraud case. The settlement, filed on June 2, 2025, follows sanctions for Buggs’ initial non-cooperation in February 2025.
Assets Surrendered by Buggs
Buggs, accused of misappropriating over $125 million through the Traders Domain scam, will hand over:
- Three vacant lots and a residential property in Houston, Texas
- Two properties in Tampa, Florida
- $9,500 in cash and a $125,000 law firm retainer
- A Tesla Model X lien (market value)
- A 2010 SeaDoo 230 Wake watercraft and a 2009 Can-AM Spyder GS motorcycle
- Luxury items: Rolex, Breitling, and Aximm watches, a Glock 9, a Muhammad Ali picture, and jewelry gifted to his wife (Audemars watch, diamond necklace, earrings)
- A $1 million lien on another Houston property
Buggs is allowed to reside in the Houston residential property and use the Tesla pending inspection, while his family can remain in the Tampa properties if he covers related expenses. The Receiver also secured Buggs’ full cooperation, including a detailed financial accounting and potential deposition. A law firm retained $340,029 for his ongoing defense.
Broader Case Developments
The Traders Domain case, which allegedly defrauded investors of $3.3 billion, continues to unfold. A third-party company can now foreclose on defendant Juan Herman’s Florida property, as he has reportedly fled to Dubai. Additionally, the Receiver seeks sanctions against defendants Alex Santiesteban and Archie Rice, with a hearing set for June 11, 2025.