U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New York Man Sentenced to 175 Months for Leadership Role in Mortgage Office Burglary and Fraud Scheme
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
The defendant stole over 1800 mortgage files
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Jeffrey Washington, 36, of New York, NY, was sentenced today to 175 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The defendant was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $254,995.71.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen.
Washington plead guilty on August 28, 2014. According to court documents, Washington admitted his involvement in a multi-defendant ring of individuals that burglarized Wells Fargo mortgage offices throughout NY, NJ, CT and MD in 2012 -2013. The defendants stole over 1,800 mortgage files that were then used in a variety of bank customer impersonation and retail credit fraud schemes, targeting various banks and retailers. Washington recruited individuals to go into banks, impersonate customers and remove funds via setting up business accounts and transferring funds from the accounts of bank customers. Washington and other defendants traveled from NY to EDVA on multiple occasions throughout 2012 and 2013. Following the arrest of a co-defendant in August, 2013, the defendant continued to burglarize mortgage offices until his arrest in May, 2014. Washington was on probation at the time of the offense. Thus far, three defendants have pled guilty and a fourth remains pending trial.
This case was investigated by United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Samuels is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:14CR32.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen.
Washington plead guilty on August 28, 2014. According to court documents, Washington admitted his involvement in a multi-defendant ring of individuals that burglarized Wells Fargo mortgage offices throughout NY, NJ, CT and MD in 2012 -2013. The defendants stole over 1,800 mortgage files that were then used in a variety of bank customer impersonation and retail credit fraud schemes, targeting various banks and retailers. Washington recruited individuals to go into banks, impersonate customers and remove funds via setting up business accounts and transferring funds from the accounts of bank customers. Washington and other defendants traveled from NY to EDVA on multiple occasions throughout 2012 and 2013. Following the arrest of a co-defendant in August, 2013, the defendant continued to burglarize mortgage offices until his arrest in May, 2014. Washington was on probation at the time of the offense. Thus far, three defendants have pled guilty and a fourth remains pending trial.
This case was investigated by United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Samuels is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:14CR32.
Updated August 11, 2016
Component