Hillsdale NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of BRUCE FIXELLE (DOB: 02/24/1960; married; self-employed investor) of 5 Cherry Hill Court, Hillsdale, NJ on Theft By Deception and Falsifying Records charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In July 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received complaints against Bruce FIXELLE and capital investment companies with which he was associated, Genesis Advisory Services Corp. and Aurora Capital Management, LLC, from two investors who believed that they had been defrauded.
Cresskill NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of TINA MADISON (DOB: 01/02/1962; married; unemployed) of 24 Poplar Street, Cresskill, NJ on Theft By Deception, Forgery, Records Tampering, and Money Laundering charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In July 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint that Tina MADISON was suspected of forging and cashing checks from the account of her Bergen County-based employer.
An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit revealed that between 2010 and July of 2018, Tina MADISON, who was working as an administrative assistant at a Bergen County business, had gained access to her employer’s checking account and written checks which she negotiated for her own benefit. Tina MADISON forged the writing, signatures, and endorsements on the checks. To negotiate the checks, she either cashed them with a forged endorsement or deposited them into her own business bank account from which she withdrew cash. To conceal the theft, MADISON altered the victim’s bank statements which she would then file for record keeping purposes. The total theft by Tina MADISON was in excess of $1,000,000.
Tina MADISON was arrested on August 3, 2018 in Cresskill, NJ and charged with one count of Financial Facilitation Of Criminal Activity, with the amount involved being greater than $500,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25b(2)(a), a crime of the 1st degree; one count of Theft By Deception, with the amount involved being greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, a crime of the 2nd degree; one count of Forgery Of A Check, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(2), a crime of the 3rd degree; and one count of Falsifying Or Tampering With Records, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4a, a crime of the 4th degree. Tina MADISON is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.Acting Prosecutor Calo states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Teaneck NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of SHANNELL GRIGGS (DOB: 04/16/1990; single; and employed as a receptionist) of 354 Bryant Avenue, Syracuse, NY and GIVONNI BUTLER (DOB: 08/21/1989; single; and unemployed) of 27 Pine Street, Passaic, NJ on charges of Computer Related Theft, Theft By Deception, Impersonation, Money Laundering, Receiving Stolen Property, and Conspiracy. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Teaneck Police Department under the direction of Chief Glenn M. O’Reilly.
In December 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint of theft from the bank accounts of a recently deceased Teaneck resident. The executor of the decedent’s estate reported that the decedent’s bank accounts had been accessed by an unknown party and that approximately $375,000 had been stolen between 2015 and 2016.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Shannell GRIGGS, a bank employee, had unlawfully used the bank’s computerized account and customer service systems to access and take over the victim’s bank accounts. Shannell GRIGGS and her boyfriend, Givonni BUTLER, then stole approximately $375,000 through a combination of illicit debit card purchases, cash withdrawals, wire transfers, and cashier check purchases.
Shannell GRIGGS was arrested on June 29, 2018 in Syracuse, NY and charged with one count of Computer Related Theft, in an amount greater than $250,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25c, a 1st degree crime; one count of Impersonation For The Purpose Of Obtaining A Benefit, in an amount greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17a(1), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Theft By Deception, in an amount greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Financial Facilitation Of Criminal Activity, in an amount greater than $75,000 but less than $500,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25b(2), a 2nd degree crime. GRIGGS was taken into custody in Syracuse, NY on the New Jersey warrant and is awaiting extradition proceedings.
A warrant for the arrest of Givonni BUTLER was issued on July 3, 2018 and served on July 5, 2018 as a detainer, since BUTLER is currently serving a prison sentence in Pennsylvania on an unrelated matter. He was charged with one count of Receiving Stolen Property, with a value greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Conspiracy To Commit Computer Related Theft, in an amount greater than $5,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25c, a 2nd degree crime.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Acting Prosecutor Calo would like to thank the Teaneck and Syracuse Police Departments and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with this investigation.
Paramus NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of PAUL A. DYKSTRA (DOB: 02/04/1949; married; and self-employed as an attorney) of 424 Abbott Road, Paramus, NJ on Misapplication of Entrusted Funds and Hindering charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In March 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint from a client of Paul A. DYKSTRA, Esq., regarding his failure to disburse to the client approximately $275,000 he received in trust as the result of the sale of real property.
An investigation determined that Paul A. DYKSTRA received the funds into his attorney trust account, and, instead of forwarding them to the client, used them for his own purposes. In an effort to hinder the investigation, Paul A. DYKSTRA provided the client and detectives with false information regarding the transaction and disbursement of funds due to the client.
Paul A. DYKSTRA was arrested on April 10, 2018 in Paramus, NJ and charged with one count of Misapplication of Entrusted Funds, with the amount involved being greater than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-15, a crime of the 2nd degree; and, one count of Hindering Investigation/Prosecution, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b, a crime of the 3rd degree. Paul A. DYKSTRA is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Park Ridge NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of KIM COVELLO (DOB: 4/20/1955; married; and self-employed) of 167 Mansfield Road, Park Ridge, New Jersey on Theft by Deception and Elder Abuse charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In April 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint regarding suspected elder financial abuse from the Bergen County Board of Social Services Adult Protective Services Unit (APS). The victim was identified as a 94-year-old Bergen County resident who had entrusted a one-time neighbor, Kim COVELLO, with a durable power of attorney. In 2014 and 2016, the APS received complaints regarding financial and care-related issues between the victim and Ms. COVELLO. Those complaints were investigated by APS and then turned over to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the ensuing investigation, it was determined that Kim COVELLO had obtained Power of Attorney over the victim in 2012 and that between 2012 and 2016, Ms. COVELLO had used in excess of $150,000 of the victim’s money for her own purposes. Ms. Covello’s illicit use of the victim’s money included direct payments to herself and members of her family in violation of the Power of Attorney agreement and the use of the victim’s funds to build an addition on her, Ms. Covello’s, house. As a result of Ms. Covello’s actions, the victim’s funds were completely depleted and the victim is now in need of public assistance financing.
As a result of the investigation, Kim COVELLO was arrested on March 29, 2018 in Paramus, NJ and charged with one count of Theft by Deception with the amount involved being greater than $75,000 in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a crime of the 2nd degree; and one count of Elder Abuse in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-8a, a crime of the 3rd degree. Ms. Covello is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of the following individuals involved in a fraud scheme: TERRANCE HART (D.O.B. 2/22/1989, single, unemployed) of 211 S 8th Lincoln Place, Garfield, New Jersey; RASHAD BLACK (D.O.B. 12/29/1986, single, unemployed) of Hackensack, New Jersey; JAMES MILLER (D.O.B. 06/28/1987, single, unemployed) of Paterson, New Jersey; IVY HERNANDEZ (D.O.B. 4/09/1993, single, unemployed) of 211 Lincoln Place, Garfield, New Jersey; CHRISTIAN REYES (D.O.B. 1/18/1991, single, unemployed) of Secaucus, New Jersey; and TORI BEATO (D.O.B. 12/28/1992, single, unemployed) of 1538 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, New Jersey.
The arrests are the result of a cooperative investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO.
In September 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit was notified by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office that Bergen County Jail Annex inmate commissary accounts were being used to receive and transfer illicit funds obtained from stolen credit cards.
A joint investigation revealed that Bergen County Jail inmates Christian REYES, James MILLER, and Rashad BLACK had used their assigned inmate commissary accounts and those of other inmates whom they enlisted, to receive illicit funds obtained through the use of stolen personal identifying information and credit cards. The information and illicit funds, which totaled in excess of $30,000, were transmitted to the suspect accounts via an internet-based commissary account system accessed by co-conspirators Terrance HART, Ivy HERNANDEZ and Tori BEATO, who were not incarcerated. A portion of the illicit funds were used by the inmates, and the remainder was transferred back to the co-conspirators through checks issued, at the inmates’ request through the jail commissary system. As a result of the investigation, other suspected accounts and victim credit cards have been identified.
As a result of the investigation:
Tori BEATO was arrested on Thursday, December 14, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; and two counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and BEATO appeared in Central Judicial Processing Court on January 3, 2018 and was released.
Christian REYES was arrested on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Bergen County Jail Annex in Hackensack, New Jersey, and charged with one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; and two counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Warrant and REYES was released on his own recognizance.
Ivy HERNANDEZ was arrested on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten or more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and HERNANDEZ is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
Rashad BLACK was arrested on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Bergen County Jail Annex in Hackensack, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten or more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and BLACK is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
James MILLER was arrested on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Bergen County Jail Annex in Hackensack, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten or more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and MILLER is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
Terrance HART was arrested on Friday, February 2, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten of more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and HART is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of KWANELLE PARKER (DOB: 09/11/1991; single; unemployed) of 644 Coster Street, Bronx, New York on Check Fraud, Theft by Deception, and Conspiracy charges. Specifically, PARKER was issued a summons on Thursday, December 21, 2017. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti,
In August 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint from the County of Bergen’s financial officers regarding the fraudulent production and deposit of checks which were made to appear as if they were issued from a Bergen County payroll account. Along with the checks, it was determined that illicit wire activity had also occurred, which brought the total theft amount to over $50,000.00.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Kwanelle PARKER had worked in concert with Daleska DILLERVA, Anthony PEGUERO, and others to deposit the fraudulent checks into co-conspirators’ accounts and then withdraw the illicit funds before the forgeries and deception were uncovered. The arrest of PARKER is the result of an ongoing investigation during which DILLERVA and PEGUERO had been arrested and charged on September 19, 2017.
Kwanelle PARKER was charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime, and two counts of Conspiring with Daleska DILLERVA and Anthony PEGUERO to Commit the Issuing or Passing of Bad Checks and Theft by Deception, each a 3rd degree crime. PARKER is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 9:00 a.m. on January 10, 2018.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Paramus NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of ANTHONY B. SAVINO (DOB: 03/29/1965; married; and employed as an attendant) of 62 Newton Street, Staten Island, New York on fraud charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In October 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint from representatives of the Bergen County Utilities Authority regarding an employee, Anthony B. SAVINO, who they believed had violated New Jersey Civil Service and employment regulations by obtaining employment with a public entity using a fraudulent New Jersey residential address.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that, in 2013, SAVINO obtained a New Jersey driver’s license using a fraudulently obtained mailing address in Bergen County, New Jersey even though, at the time, he resided in Staten Island, New York. Using the New Jersey driver’s license as proof of residence, SAVINO applied for and obtained employment with the Bergen County Utilities Authority (“BCUA”). At the time of his application, employment at the public entity required applicants and non-exempt employees to maintain their primary residence in New Jersey as per the residency requirements of the New Jersey First Act. SAVINO maintained the fraudulently obtained address while employed at the BCUA and, in fact, changed his residency to a second, fraudulently obtained address in November 2017. Upon receiving a position with the BCUA, SAVINO applied for and obtained health insurance benefits by completing an insurance application on which he reported the fraudulent information.
On Friday, December 22, 2017, Anthony B. SAVINO was arrested in Paramus, New Jersey and issued a summons. Upon his release from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, SAVINO was turned over to the Port Authority Police Department on an unrelated matter. He was wanted by the Port Authority Police Department in reference to a theft of services investigation which was initiated as a result of 343 EZ-Pass violations committed utilizing an EZ-Pass account and vehicles to which he had access.
Anthony B. SAVINO was charged by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office with one count of Insurance Fraud, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4.6(a), a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Falsifying Records, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-4(a), a 4th degree crime. SAVINO was released pending his first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court on January 10, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
SAVINO was charged by the Port Authority Police Department and issued a summons for one count of Theft of Services, in an amount greater than $500 but less than $75,000, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8(a), a 3rd degree crime. SAVINO was released pending his first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court on January 5, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Grewal would like to thank the Port Authority Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of MOHAMAD KHALAIFEH (DOB: 8/13/1981; single; and unemployed) of 386 Getty Avenue, Apt 3, Paterson, New Jersey on Identity Theft and Tampering with Public Records charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In September 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission representatives who had identified KHALAIFEH as an individual who had provided the personal identifying information and documents of another person to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in order to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license. The fraud was identified as a result of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s ongoing anti-fraud initiative.
Upon receipt of the information, detectives conducted an investigation which revealed that KHALAIFEH had, in fact, received a New Jersey driver’s license as a result of fraud.
On December 4, 2017, KHALAIFEH was arrested at his residence in Paterson, New Jersey, and charged with one count of Obtaining a New Jersey Driver’s License/ Identification by Knowingly Displaying or Uttering the Personal Identifying Information and Documents of Another, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17.2a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Tampering with Public Records with the Intent to Defraud, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-7a(2), a 3rd degree crime. KHALAIFEH was charged by way of a criminal complaint summons and was released pending his first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Court on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the following arrests:
ANTHONY PEGUERO (D.O.B. 2/07/1994; single; and employed as a mover) of 272 S 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey; charged with Trafficking in Stolen Identities, Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;
DALESKA DILLERVA (D.O.B. 2/21/1995; single; and unemployed) of 272 S 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey; charged with Trafficking in Stolen Identities, Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;
LEZLIE MERCEDES (D.O.B. 10/07/1997; single; and employed as a concierge) of 27 Newman Street, Hackensack, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;
GUILLERMO LOPEZ (D.O.B. 8/04/1987; single; and unemployed) of 92 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;
ALYSHA VIERA (D.O.B. 12/04/1997; single; and employed as store clerk) of 313 2nd Street, Carlstadt, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;
FRANCISCO TROCHE (D.O.B. 10/27/1991; single; employed as a cook) of 20 Hiram Place, Harrison, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;
CLAUDIO RODRIGUES (D.O.B. 9/14/1991; single; and employed as an automotive service manager) of 117 Rutherford Place, Kearny, New Jersey; Check Fraud and Theft by Deception.
The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In August of 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint from County of Bergen financial officers regarding the fraudulent production and deposit of checks which were made to appear as if they were issued from a Bergen County payroll account. Along with the checks, it was determined that illicit wire activity had also occurred which brought the total theft amount to over $50,000.
The investigation revealed that DILLERVA and PEGUERO organized the illicit activities of a group of individuals who were responsible for forging and negotiating business checks. The checks were deposited in co-conspirators’ accounts and then the illicitly obtained funds were withdrawn before the forgeries and deception were uncovered. MERCEDES, LOPEZ, VIERA, TROCHE, and RODRIGUEZ acted in concert along with DILLERVA and PEGUERO to access and use the illicit bank accounts in which the forged checks were deposited. As a result of the still ongoing investigation, other suspected victim business accounts have been identified.
As a result of the investigation:
Alysha VIERA was arrested on Friday, September 8, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and VIERA is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on September 20, 2017.
Guillermo LOPEZ was arrested on Monday, September 11, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and LOPEZ is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on September 27, 2017.
Anthony PEGUERO was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten of more items pertaining to five or more persons, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime, one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a warrant and PEGUERO was detained pending a detention hearing.
Daleska DILLERVA was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten of more items pertaining to five or more persons, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime, one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and DILLERVA is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.
Francisco TROCHE was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $200 but less than $1,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 4th degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and TROCHE is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.
Claudio RODRIGUES was arrested on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and RODRIGUES is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.
Lezlie MERCEDES was arrested on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and MERCEDES is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.
![Kim_Covello[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/04-02-18_Kim_Covello1.jpg "94-year-old Bergen County Resident Left Desititute by Scammer")
