A Grand Prairie attorney has been arrested on federal charges alleging he ran a yearslong $1. 45 million Ponzi scheme, forged notary documents to mislead federal regulators, and tried to pressure a couple to flee to Mexico to obstruct an investigation, officials announced Tuesday.

Grand Prairie attorney David Thomas Gilchrist arrested David Thomas Gilchrist, 70, was arrested Monday and is charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering, according to U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

What they're saying: "Mr. Gilchrist's alleged conduct strikes at the heart of investor trust and the integrity of our financial system," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.