Former one-term Representative T.J. Cox was taken into custody by the FBI on numerous counts of financial fraud.
At the federal courthouse in Fresno, California, the arrest happened at 8:30 in the morning.
The former congressman was accused of "15 counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of money laundering, one count of financial institution fraud,
and one count of campaign contribution fraud," according to a statement from the Justice Department.
Cox won a competitive district to become a member of Congress in the Democratic wave of 2018, defeating Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.).
He was defeated by Valadao by around 1,500 votes in their rematch in 2020. Cox considered running once more in 2022.
According to the Justice Department, Cox may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison