2007
Richard Thomas Ranspot of Dallas, Texas, was indicted on October 2, 2007, in the 380th Judicial District Court of Collin County, Texas, Cause No. 366-82429-07 on charges of securities fraud, with the amount involved over $100,000. As a sales agent for Aransas Oil Company, Inc., Mineral Leases of the Southwest, Inc., Mineral Leases, Inc., and Royalty Minerals Trust, Ranspot, allegedly helped to raise over $1.7 million from investors throughout the United States. Ranspot allegedly failed to disclose to investors a prior felony conviction for mail fraud in against William Durkee, the controlling principal, and an Emergency Cease and Desist Order issued by the Texas Securities Commissioner in May 2005 against Durkee, Ranspot, Aransas Oil Co., and others.