LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Kearney investor has been indicted in federal court on 19 counts of wire and mail fraud.

Jeffery Sikes appeared in federal court Wednesday. Court records say Sikes contacted real estate developers and falsely claimed to have tenants to rent various retail commercial properties in Kearney and Grand Island. Prosecutors say he asked for fees to be paid to him by the real estate developers for finding the tenants.

Sikes is also accused of requesting an investment of $150,000 from one investor and financing of up to $750,000 from another, for a new company based on false claims and documentation.

The Associated Press left a message seeking a comment with the Federal Public Defender’s Office, which has been appointed to represent Sikes.

A status hearing has been scheduled for January.

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