View source for Meade Lewis

{{Infobox Person
|name = Meade Lewis
|age = 32 (as of 2026)
|residence = Temple Terrace, Florida
|occupation = Technology executive; founder and CEO of mIQroTech, Inc.
|charges = Wire fraud (5 counts), charged
|status = Charged; awaiting trial
|plea = Not guilty
|case_status = Indicted May 26, 2026; released pending trial
|court = U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa Division)
|forfeiture_sought = $7,096,458 (alleged)
|maximum_penalty = Up to 20 years per count (if convicted)
|known_for = Founder and CEO of mIQroTech, an oil-and-gas pipeline leak-detection startup
}}

'''Meade Lewis''' is an American technology executive from the Tampa, Florida area. He is the founder, chief executive officer, and majority shareholder of mIQroTech, Inc., a startup that develops sensor and software systems for detecting leaks in oil and gas pipelines.<ref name="doj">{{cite web |title=Founder and CEO of mIQroTech, Inc., a Technology Company in the Oil and Gas Industry, Indicted for Defrauding Investors of More Than $7 Million |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/founder-and-ceo-miqrotech-inc-technology-company-oil-and-gas-industry-indicted |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida |date=2026-05-26 |access-date=2026-06-03}}</ref><ref name="bizobserver">{{cite news |last=Hielscher |first=John |title=Tampa tech CEO, founder indicted for defrauding investors out of $7M |url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2026/may/26/tampa-tech-ceo-founder-indicted-for-defrauding-investors-of-7-million/ |work=Business Observer |date=2026-05-26 |access-date=2026-06-03}}</ref>

On May 26, 2026, a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida returned an indictment charging Lewis with five counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors allege that between October 2020 and May 2023 he raised more than $7 million from investors by making false and misleading statements about mIQroTech's finances, customers, and product, and that he diverted some investor money to his own use.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="bizobserver" /> Lewis was 32 years old at the time of the indictment.<ref name="sunshine">{{cite news |title=Founder of mIQroTech indicted for alleged $7 million investor fraud in Tampa |url=https://sunshinesentinel.com/founder-of-miqrotech-indicted-for-alleged-7-million-investor-fraud-in-tampa/ |work=Sunshine Sentinel |date=2026-05-26 |access-date=2026-06-03}}</ref>

Lewis has not been convicted of any crime. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on May 26, 2026, and was released pending trial.<ref name="bizobserver" /> An indictment is a formal accusation. It is not evidence of guilt, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.<ref name="doj" /> The charges remain allegations. The case was pending as of June 2026, with a status conference scheduled for June 16, 2026.<ref name="bizobserver" />

== Background ==

Lewis built a public profile in the Florida technology sector before the charges. He was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021.<ref name="bizobserver" /> He has described himself as an Eagle Scout and has given a TEDx talk on pipeline leak detection.<ref name="bizobserver" /><ref name="tampabay">{{cite news |title=Tampa tech CEO accused of bilking $7M from startup investors |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2026/05/28/tampa-miqrotech-investor-wire-fraud-meade-lewis/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=2026-05-28 |access-date=2026-06-03}}</ref>

Before founding mIQroTech, Lewis worked in the oil and gas industry. According to reporting on the case, he served as a chief information officer at two energy companies earlier in his career.<ref name="bizobserver" /> He is a resident of the Tampa area. Court records and local reporting place his residence in Temple Terrace, a suburb northeast of Tampa.<ref name="tampabay28">{{cite news |title=Temple Terrace tech CEO accused of defrauding investors out of more than $7 million: DOJ |url=https://www.tampabay28.com/news/region-hillsborough/temple-terrace-tech-ceo-accused-of-defrauding-investors-out-of-more-than-7-million-doj |work=ABC Action News (WFTS Tampa Bay) |date=2026-05-27 |access-date=2026-06-03}}</ref>

== mIQroTech ==

Lewis founded mIQroTech in 2017.<ref name="bizobserver" /> The company describes itself as a technology firm focused on the oil and gas industry. Its core product is a leak-detection system meant to find pipeline leaks early, before they grow into larger spills.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="tampabay" />

The startup positioned itself as an environmental-technology play. Its pitch tied pipeline monitoring to spill prevention and reduced environmental damage.<ref name="tampabay" /> mIQroTech raised capital from outside investors during the period covered by the indictment. Reporting on the case identifies Chevron Technology Ventures, through its Catalyst program, among the investors connected to the company.<ref name="bizobserver" />

The company won recognition in the technology and energy space during its growth, and Lewis used that visibility in fundraising. The product and the company's standing with industry partners are central to the government's allegations, because prosecutors say Lewis misrepresented both to investors.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="bizobserver" />

== The Allegations ==

The indictment covers conduct that prosecutors place between October 2020 and May 2023.<ref name="bizobserver" /> The government alleges that Lewis raised more than $7 million from investors by telling them things about mIQroTech that were not true.<ref name="doj" />

Prosecutors allege the false statements fell into three areas. First, the company's finances. Second, its customers. Third, its product.<ref name="doj" /> According to the indictment, Lewis sent emails to investors containing false and misleading statements, and he prepared pitch decks that included misleading financial information and false representations about the business.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="bizobserver" />

The government also alleges that Lewis did not use all of the money the way he told investors he would. Prosecutors say he applied some investor funds to his own personal enrichment.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="tampabay" /> Court filings cited in local reporting describe specific transfers, including a $1 million transfer on June 1, 2021, and a $3 million transfer on June 3, 2021, into accounts that Lewis controlled.<ref name="bizobserver" />

These are allegations. The indictment sets out the government's theory of the case. It does not establish that any of it happened. Lewis has pleaded not guilty and has the right to contest the charges at trial.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="bizobserver" />

== Charges ==

Lewis is charged with five counts of wire fraud.<ref name="doj" /> Wire fraud is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. It covers schemes to obtain money or property through false or fraudulent pretenses carried out using interstate wire communications, which includes email and electronic funds transfers.

The indictment was returned in the Middle District of Florida and is being handled in the Tampa Division.<ref name="doj" /> United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the charges.<ref name="doj" /> The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.<ref name="sunshine" /> Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts is prosecuting the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Blain Goff is handling the forfeiture portion.<ref name="bizobserver" /><ref name="sunshine" />

If convicted, Lewis faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison on each of the five counts.<ref name="doj" /> The indictment also includes a forfeiture notice. The government states its intent to seek forfeiture of at least $7,096,458, which it alleges represents proceeds traceable to the charged offenses.<ref name="doj" /><ref name="sunshine" />

Lewis was arraigned on May 26, 2026, in a hearing that lasted about twelve minutes. He entered a plea of not guilty and was released.<ref name="bizobserver" /> A status conference was set for June 16, 2026.<ref name="bizobserver" /> A maximum penalty is set by statute. Any sentence in a federal case, if there is a conviction, is imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, and is typically well below the statutory maximum.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==
{{FAQSection/Start}}
{{FAQ|question=Who is Meade Lewis?|answer=Meade Lewis is a technology executive from the Tampa, Florida area. He is the founder, chief executive officer, and majority shareholder of mIQroTech, Inc., a startup that develops leak-detection technology for oil and gas pipelines. He was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021.}}
{{FAQ|question=What is Meade Lewis charged with?|answer=A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida charged Lewis on May 26, 2026, with five counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors allege he raised more than $7 million from investors between October 2020 and May 2023 by making false statements about mIQroTech's finances, customers, and product. The charges are allegations. Lewis has pleaded not guilty and has not been convicted.}}
{{FAQ|question=Has Meade Lewis been convicted?|answer=No. Lewis has been charged by indictment, not convicted. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on May 26, 2026, and was released pending trial. An indictment is a formal accusation, not evidence of guilt. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.}}
{{FAQ|question=What is mIQroTech?|answer=mIQroTech, Inc. is a Tampa-area technology startup founded by Lewis in 2017. It develops systems intended to detect leaks in oil and gas pipelines early, with the stated goal of preventing larger spills. Reporting on the case identifies Chevron Technology Ventures, through its Catalyst program, among the company's investors.}}
{{FAQ|question=How much money is involved in the case?|answer=Prosecutors allege Lewis raised more than $7 million from investors through false statements. The indictment includes a forfeiture notice seeking at least $7,096,458, an amount the government alleges represents proceeds of the charged offenses. These figures reflect the government's allegations, which Lewis is contesting.}}
{{FAQ|question=What sentence does Meade Lewis face?|answer=Each of the five wire fraud counts carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison if there is a conviction. A maximum penalty is set by statute. Any actual sentence would be decided by the court after a conviction, based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors, and is typically far below the statutory maximum. Lewis has not been convicted.}}
{{FAQ|question=Who is prosecuting the case?|answer=The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Roberts is prosecuting, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Blain Goff is handling forfeiture. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.}}
{{FAQSection/End}}

== References ==

<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Meade}}
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]
[[Category:Wire_Fraud]]
[[Category:White_Collar_Crime]]
[[Category:Awaiting Trial]]

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{{MetaDescription|Meade Lewis, founder and CEO of Tampa startup mIQroTech, was indicted in May 2026 on five counts of wire fraud over alleged investor fraud. He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent.}}