He also pleaded guilty in federal court to securities fraud in an $8 million Ponzi scheme. (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff's Office, Janelle Walker)A Crystal Lake man who pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding investors out of more than $8 million was sentenced Thursday to 4½ years in prison and ordered to pay over $8.2 million in restitution. Alan J. Hanke, 61, pleaded guilty in New York federal court in June 2024 to a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme and to filing bankruptcy in an attempt to conceal his crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to commit securities fraud. American Legion Post 491 Commander Chad Miller said Thursday that “today was a good day” in response to Hanke’s federal sentencing.