PLANO, Texas — Texas native Jason Lawrence Geiger, who also goes by Austin St. John, and who is known for his “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” role as the Red Power Ranger, was charged with PPP-related fraud, according to the Department of Justice. He’s joined by 18 others who were also allegedly involved.

Michael Hill and Andrew Moran are alleged to have led the conspiracy to defraud the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. PPP funding was available through the CARES Act, enacted on Mar. 29, 2020, to help business owners economically impacted by COVID-19 to stay afloat.

According to the DOJ, the 19 suspected fraudsters acquired about 16 loans at a total of at least $3.5 million.

The DOJ said Hill allegedly enlisted accomplices, where Moran aided those involved with fraudulently prepared paperwork. “On the applications, the defendants are alleged to have misrepresented material information such as the true nature of their business, the number of employees, and the amount of payroll. Based on these material misrepresentations, the SBA and other financial institutions approved and issued loans to the defendants,” the DOJ reported.

The defendants are alleged to have used the funds for other items instead of what they reportedly needed the loans for, like paying employees, handling debt and utility bills. According to the indictment, the defendants would regularly send money to Hill and Moran, transfer funds to their personal accounts and make personal purchases.

“In other instances, the defendants sent the fraudulently obtained funds to Jonathon Spencer for purported investment in foreign exchange markets,” said the DOJ.

Geiger was scheduled for an appearance at Des Moines Con on May 21-22, but Galactic Productions posted an announcement saying he wouldn’t be able to attend.

A later tweet from the production company defended the actor in an official statement.

The defendants could face up to 20 years each in federal prison.