A Reno nonprofit youth basketball program known as Reno Tropics Basketball fell victim to a calculated fraud that saw $40,000 disappear from its accounts. The organization had been working to construct a new hardwood court in south Reno when a stranger presented an invoice that appeared to come from a reputable Idaho‑based flooring company.
The Deception Unfolds
Jared Deveraux, a 51‑year‑old from Pocatello, Idaho, claimed that the money would guarantee a professionally installed basketball surface. He persuaded Reno Tropics representatives to wire a $40,000 deposit, insisting that the funds were needed up front to secure materials and labor. The nonprofit, eager to expand its facilities, complied without further verification.
Discovery and Fallout
Weeks later, Reno Tropics reached out to the purported flooring company only to learn that no such order had been placed and that the business had no record of the transaction. The organization discovered that the money had been transferred to Deveraux’s personal bank account, leaving the planned court unbuilt and the nonprofit’s finances depleted.
Arrest and Charges
The revelation prompted an immediate investigation. Deveraux was apprehended in Pocatello on August 14, 2026, and subsequently held at Bannock County Jail pending extradition to Washoe County. Authorities have charged him with obtaining money by false pretense, possession/uttering forged instruments, and theft of $25,000–$100,000. Bail has been set at $500,000.
Legal Stakes
Prosecutors allege that Deveraux knowingly fabricated documentation to legitimize the invoice and mislead the nonprofit into believing the payment was for a legitimate construction project. If convicted, he faces a substantial prison term and the forfeiture of assets linked to the fraudulent scheme.
Reno Tropics Responds
Reno Tropics’ leadership expressed disappointment and frustration at the breach of trust but emphasized the program’s commitment to its youth participants. The organization has announced plans to bolster internal financial controls and to seek additional community support to keep its basketball initiatives alive despite the setback.
Broader Implications
The case underscores the vulnerability of well‑meaning nonprofits to sophisticated scams that exploit goodwill and the desire to expand services. Law enforcement officials hope the arrest serves as a warning to would‑be fraudsters that such deceptive practices will be met with swift legal action.