Connecticut man going to prison for bank fraud conspiracy

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Vance Ashley, 57, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

In January 2025, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Ashley was recruited by members of the conspiracy to pose as other persons and make unauthorized withdrawals from the other persons' bank accounts. Ashley agreed to do this in exchange for money. Between January 28 and February 3, 2025, Ashley drove with co-conspirators Edwin Robles, Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera, to bank branches in Wilmington, Delaware, Liberty, NY, and Lock Haven, PA, where Ashely used the identifications of other individuals to make, or attempt to make, unauthorized withdrawals from the victims' bank accounts.

On February 5, 2025, the defendants drove to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport, within the Western District of New York. Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal of from the account of an individual residing in Erie, PA. Ashley also purchased a bank check using funds from the account. That same day, the defendants drove to another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville, within the Western District of New York, and again Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal from an account and purchased a bank check using funds from the account of a victim from North East PA.

The total loss amount, including actual loss and intended loss, is $61,800.00.

Robles, Richardson and Herrera were all previously convicted.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.

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