Why Was Francisco Guerra of Global Special Effects Arrested? Net Worth and Fraud – Multiple media outlets are reporting that a Lexington business was raided today by federal agents.

According to WHNT, Lexington Police Chief Augie Hendershot said Global Special Effects had multiple active warrants from various agencies including the Army Criminal Investigations Division, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

Global Special Effects owner Francisco Guerra was taken into law enforcement custody and transported to Huntsville for processing.

The business bills itself as a “leading provider of special effects at atmospheric controls for movies, theme parks and special event industries for over 30 years.” In a 2011 Huntsville Times story, Guerra said the company provides a polymer powder that is used to create fake snow, snow machines and snow lamps, among other items.

Francisco Guerra Returns to Global Special Effects

in 11/23/2011, A letter from Francisco Guerra of Global Special Effects:

“As you know, last year I took time to work on other endeavors and brought someone else in as CEO of SnowMasters/Global Special Effects in my absence. After a few months, I realized that changes to the company were taking place, and these changes were impacting the loyal customer base that had been built the over past 20 years. First, I want to apologize for my absence. I know this change impacted you, your business, and your relationship with us at Global Special Effects. Second, I want to tell you that I am back at Global Special Effects every day and here to help you in any way I can. I appreciate your loyalty to us and I hope you know how much we appreciate your business. Again, I am back full-time and encourage you to please call me anytime.”

“Obviously, you may have noticed our new company name, Global Special Effects. Don’t let this scare you. Since we have expanded to other special effects besides snow, we felt it was necessary to have a company name that covered all of our products. Nothing has changed with our organization, just the name. Your same familiar voices; Mike, Beth, Pam, myself and many more are here to service you. It is an exciting time here as we continue to develop and manufacture new products, and we look forward to telling you more. Again, please feel free to contact me or one of our phenomenal staff members directly at any time.”

“Global Special Effects has grown by leaps and bounds in recent months, expanding from only one manufacturing facility in rural Lexington, Alabama, to more than 23 international distributors worldwide. We are happy to say that despite a few hurdles, we have now overcome. Now we can’t wait to spread the word of our amazing growth and continue doing business with all of our loyal customers.”

Global Special Effects, formally known as Snowmasters Inc., is a special effects company headquartered in Lexington, Alabama. The firm, founded in 1992 by former magician Francisco Guerra, specializes in artificial snow, cryo, smoke, bubble and fog machines.

The company’s products have been used in music videos such as “Back to December” by Taylor Swift and “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber, film productions such as Harry Potter and Lucky, television shows such as Fear Factor, and at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

The company was founded in 1992 after Francisco Guerra, a Cuban native who emigrated to the United States as a child, utilized a system for producing artificial snow to use in his magic shows.

Guerra developed a 98% water and 2% surfactant solution which evaporates shortly after touching the ground, known as Evaporative Snow. as well as machines to distribute the substance in various forms. Snowmasters have subsequently branched into other products, including fog, cryo, foam, smoke effects, and bubble machines.

Global Special Effects’ main product offering is its proprietary artificial snow and range of snow machines, which sell for $1,500 to $5,000 each. Subsidiary companies of Snowmasters include Flogos, whose machines produce floating shapes constructed from helium-filled soap bubbles.

Flogos has been contracted to produce Mickey Mouse shapes at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Another operating company, Foam Masters, manufactures foam machines for use at parties and auditoriums.