ALBANY, NEW YORK - Jahquel Robertson, 31, of Albany, and twelve others were charged in April with participation in a large-scale bank fraud scheme involving over $1 million dollars in stolen checks, according to a fourteen-count indictment fully unsealed June 16th in the Northern District of New York.

The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Anthony Patrone, Special Agent in Charge (Acting) of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Matthew M. Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General ("USPS-OIG"), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.

According to the indictment, Robertson, a/k/a "Jolly;" Nathaniel Williams, 35, of New York City; Anisa Marie Figueroa, 35, of Albany; Tyler Whittingham, 30, of New York City; Mishak Sam-Hinton, 29, of Newark, New Jersey; Britani Williams, 26, of North Adams, Massachusetts; Kedar Morton, 35, of Albany; Ray Hernandez, 28, of Albany; Slyvia Harris Thomas, 22, of Troy; Ladezma Scurry, 32, of Schenectady; Raheen Williams, 30, of Albany; Kaitlyn Thompson, 38, of Albany; and Emahnee Shelton, 28, of Schenectady, allegedly conspired to defraud various businesses, individuals, and financial institutions throughout the United States using stolen, forged and counterfeited financial instruments to fraudulently obtain money under the control of financial institutions.

As alleged, Robertson received more than $1,000,000 of checks stolen out of the mail by bribing a corrupt United States Postal Service employee. The USPS employee provided Robertson with checks that were originally mailed to or sent by individuals and businesses in the Northern District of New York. The indictment alleges that Robertson and his coconspirators then used personal identifying information and banking information of willing participants in the scheme to attempt to make fraudulent deposits of checks designed to appear identical to those stolen by the USPS employee. The defendants have been arraigned in Albany, New York over the last several weeks, and have been released on conditions pending trial before United States District Court Judge Anne M. Nardacci.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone said: "Jolly and his merry band of alleged co-conspirators attempted to defraud national financial institutions by depositing fraudulent checks into theirs and others bank accounts then quickly move to withdraw the funds. As alleged in the indictment, he bribed a public official to do so and committed a host of other federal crimes in the process. We will work quickly to seek justice against these defendants and are thankful for our legion of partners in this matter, including HSI, the USPS-OIG, and the NYSP."

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone stated: "These charges describe a far-reaching bank fraud scheme that diverted more than a million dollars in stolen checks and victimized honest residents, businesses, and financial institutions that sustain our communities. HSI Albany remains firmly dedicated to uncovering and disrupting fraud schemes that prey on hardworking people and exploit the banking and mail systems for personal gain. Working in close coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, HSI continues to prioritize safeguarding the public and protecting the integrity of our financial systems."

"Postal Service employees hold positions of public trust, and allegations involving mail theft, check fraud, or bribery are taken seriously. The USPS OIG remains committed to working with our partners to protect the integrity of the U.S. Mail and hold those who exploit it accountable. We appreciate the continued partnership of the U.S. Attorney's Office, HSI, and the New York State Police." Said Matthew M. Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office USPS-OIG.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "As alleged, these individuals concocted a scheme to engage in fraud and theft for the purpose of depriving unsuspecting individuals out of their rightfully owed money. Our members and law enforcement partners have once again removed deceptive criminals from our community, putting an end to fraudulent and dishonest acts. I applaud the work of all those involved for holding these bad actors accountable and pursuing a justice for the victims."

The indictment further alleges that Robertson and his co-conspirators committed a variety of federal criminal violations, including bribing a public official, receipt of stolen mail, engaging in transactions in criminally derived property, use of fraudulent financial instruments, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Not all defendants are alleged to have committed all crimes listed in the indictment.

The charges against Robertson, Figueroa, Whittingham, and Shelton, which include aggravated identity theft, carry a mandatory minimum of two years. The bank fraud conspiracy charges against all defendants carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of up to five years. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

HSI, USPS-OIG, and New York State Police are investigating the case, with assistance from the Rensselaer Police Department, Cohoes Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Hartunian is prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.