Alleged 'Hockey Dad' Scammer Sentenced to 40 Years

Dennis Schuler Jr. duped friends and neighbors out of $12 million in elaborate cartel protection racket

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Federal investigators have unraveled a years-long con orchestrated by Dennis Schuler Jr., who went by the alias 'Kota Youngblood'. Posing as a friendly hockey dad, Schuler spun elaborate tales of cartel threats and government connections, convincing friends and neighbors to pay him for protection, which he then funneled into Las Vegas video poker machines. Schuler has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of trust-based scams that can devastate entire communities, as well as the importance of verifying claims of government or military ties before providing sensitive information or large sums of money. It also underscores the need for stronger safeguards against financial fraud, especially targeting vulnerable populations.

The details

According to the FBI, Schuler wove together stories of fabricated cartel plots, fake assassination threats, and invented personal tragedies, including the murder of his own son, to convince panicked parents and retirees to provide him with a steady stream of cash. One real-estate developer alone says he lost about $900,000 as he slept with a gun by his bed, convinced that his ex-wife had hired cartel killers.

  • Schuler began spinning his tales of cartel threats and government connections several years ago in the Austin, Texas area.
  • The scheme finally unraveled when one victim went to the FBI and secretly recorded conversations with Schuler.
  • Schuler was sentenced to 40 years in prison on March 8, 2026 for wire fraud and money laundering.

The players

Dennis Schuler Jr.

Also known as 'Kota Youngblood', Schuler was a used-car salesman who posed as a friendly hockey dad with ties to the government and cartels in order to defraud his friends and neighbors out of millions of dollars.

FBI

Federal investigators unraveled Schuler's elaborate con and brought him to justice.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case has scheduled a hearing to determine if any of Schuler's victims will be eligible for restitution from the funds he obtained through his fraudulent scheme.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of verifying claims of authority or special connections before entrusting someone with large sums of money. It highlights the devastating impact that trust-based financial scams can have on tight-knit communities, and the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable populations from such predatory behavior.