Houston, Texas — A former Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employee and another individual face multiple felony charges in connection with an alleged vehicle title laundering scheme in the Houston area, authorities announced on July 9, 2025.
Carlisha Haywood, 41, was charged with bribery and two counts of tampering with a government record. Prosecutors allege that she accepted bribes in exchange for creating fraudulent vehicle titles while employed at the Texas DMV.
Xavier Goodwin Washington, 28, was also charged with two counts of tampering with a government record. Investigators say he participated in the scheme alongside Haywood.
According to law enforcement, the operation involved altering vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and generating fake documents to legitimize stolen or unverified vehicles. The fraudulent titles were then used to mask the true origin of the vehicles.
The offenses allegedly occurred in the Houston area, where Haywood worked at a local DMV office. The Texas DMV has not yet issued a public statement regarding the charges but confirmed that Haywood is no longer employed by the agency.
Officials from multiple agencies are collaborating on the investigation, which remains ongoing. Authorities said they are working to uncover the full extent of the fraud and identify additional individuals who may have been involved.
Haywood has posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. Washington is also expected to make a court appearance.
Bribery and tampering with government records are felony offenses under Texas law, carrying potential prison time and fines if convicted.
Officials said the case underscores vulnerabilities in the state’s vehicle titling system and noted that new safeguards are being implemented to prevent similar fraudulent activity.
Both Haywood and Washington are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
