Independent contractor formerly associated with MML Investors Services charged with running Ponzi

A one-time independent contractor who never gained status as a registered representative in Missouri for MML Investors Services was federally charged last month with running a Ponzi scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $2 million from at least 24 individual investors through false and misleading representations.

Trevor Uhls, 29, on July 27 was charged with wire fraud and money laundering in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. A special agent for the Internal Revenue Service signed the complaint.

Uhls, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., “has engaged in a wide-ranging scheme to defraud local and out-of-state investors through fantastic promises of guaranteed returns on short-term investments in construction companies and private equity groups,” according to the complaint.

“Dating back to at least September 2024, UHLS has been engaged in a scheme to solicit funds from investors for fake short-term, crowdfunded, real estate deals purportedly secured by promissory notices with local construction companies,” the complaint alleged.

Uhls was barred from working in the securities industry in May for not cooperating in a FINRA investigation about the matter.

“We look forward to giving Mr. Uhls a zealous defense,” said his attorney Gregory Watt. “In the event he pleads guilty, we look forward to making this right for any individuals that were hurt.” 

While Uhls was not a registered representative of MML, he had the status of a “former associated person” with the firm, according to the FINRA order. Associated people at securities firms hold a variety of jobs but are not licensed to sell securities or investment products.

“Mr. Uhls' contract with our company was terminated after the activity at issue was reported to us in December 2025,” according to a spokesperson for MML Investors Services.

“Mr. Uhls was never registered with MML Investors Services as a registered representative,” according to the spokesperson. “We understand that the investigation remains ongoing, and we are fully cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement and regulatory authorities.”

Uhls was an independent contractor with the firm, the spokesperson added, without clarifying what kind of work he did.

According to federal charges, investor funds were allegedly misappropriated for Uhls’ personal benefit.

According to the charges, in June 2025, Uhls text messaged an Independence, Mo., investor claiming that the investor could earn 8.5% interest by pooling his money with others for a storage unit investment. The investor wired $15,000 to Uhls’ checking account.

Uhls used that investor’s money plus another $5,000 to purchase a Rolex watch and a Rolex bracelet from Meierotto Jewelers for a total amount of more than $20,000, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, the storage unit investment Uhls offered the victim was part of a fraudulent scheme and that Uhls made false statements to solicit funds to further the scheme.

A review of Uhls’ financial records found no evidence that he invested the victim’s money in storage units, according to the complaint.