Three Residents of Manchester Charged with Bank Fraud and Conspiracy

            CONCORD - Ariel Mendoza, 26, Angel Forteza-Concepcion, 18, and Katyushkanair Baez Vega, 18, all of Manchester, have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

            According to an Indictment that was unsealed last week, Mendoza and Forteza-Concepcion knowingly deposited stolen checks and money orders to bank accounts at Service Credit Union, TD Bank, Bank of America, and St. Mary’s Bank.  The Indictment also alleges that Mendoza and Forteza-Concepcion used the proceeds of the fraudulent deposits to withdraw cash from the accounts and conduct debit card purchases with ATM cards assigned to the accounts.  The Indictment also charges Mendoza with stealing a check from a mailbox in Salem, New Hampshire.

            According to a second Indictment that was unsealed last week, Mendoza and Baez Vega deposited stolen checks and money orders to bank accounts at Bank of America, TD Bank, Service Credit Union, and Digital Credit Union.  The Indictment also alleges that Mendoza and Baez Vega used the proceeds of the fraudulent deposits to withdraw cash from the accounts and conduct debit card purchases with ATM cards assigned to the accounts.

            Mendoza and Forteza-Concepcion were arrested in Federal Heights, Colorado area on August 4, 2018.  Baez Vega was arrested in Concord, New Hampshire, on August 9, 2018.

            The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation and Mendoza, Forteza-Concepcion, and Baez Vega are presumed to be innocent unless the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

            The cases are being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Manchester Police Department, and the Salem Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kinsella.

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