Nine Charged In Scheme To Defraud Banks

A second superseding indictment was returned today against nine people charged in a bank fraud conspiracy that also stole the identifying information of at least two people, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and Burlington County (NJ) Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi.  The defendants allegedly obtained or attempted to obtain  $279,875.93 through fraudulent means.  Charged in the superseding indictment are: Adolphus William Cato, 33, Michael Ross, 49, both of Sicklerville, NJ; Jared Hayes, 37, Quanda Anthony, 43, both of Willingboro, NJ; Sean Finn, 31, of Mount Holly, NJ; Rushawn Woodall, 38, of Trenton, NJ; Leonard Herrington, 41, Zabrina Jobe, 39, both of Philadelphia, PA; and Warren Moore, 41, of Bordentown, NJ.

According to the indictment, the defendants defrauded and attempted to defraud Third Fed Bank, TD Bank, Santander Bank, PNC Bank, M&T Bank, and Andrews Credit Union.  Cato allegedly manufactured and obtained fraudulent drivers licenses utilizing the personal identifying information of victims without their knowledge or consent. Hayes allegedly obtained valid checks from businesses and personal bank accounts from individuals known and unknown to the grand jury then used the information to produce counterfeit checks.  The victims’ personal identifying information was used in applying for loans online, to obtain money from various financial institutions by cashing counterfeit checks, and to obtain the proceeds of fraudulent loans using counterfeit identifications and checks.  Defendants Woodall and Moore also allegedly used unauthorized and counterfeit access devices and fraudulent identification, allegedly provided by defendants Cato and Hayes, to obtain automobiles from car rental businesses and hotel lodging.

If convicted, the defendants face the following statutory maximum possible sentences: Cato, 157 years in prison; Hayes, 127 years in prison; Ross, 125 years in prison; Anthony, 95 years in prison; Moore, 87 years in prison; Jobe, 67 years in prison; Woodall, 57 years in prison; Herrington, 37 years in prison; and Finn, 35 years in prison, plus possible fines and restitution.

This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Secret Service, the Burlington County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, the Bordentown Township (NJ) Police Department, the Burlington City (NJ) Police Department, the Burlington County (NJ) Sheriff’s Department, the Camden County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, the Camden County (NJ) Sheriff’s Department, the Cherry Hill (NJ) Police Department, the Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force, the Mount Holly (NJ) Police Department, the Pennsauken Township (NJ) Police Department, the Plumstead Township Police Department, Willingboro Township (NJ) Police Department, and the Winslow Township (NJ) Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth.