Former Bank Officer Admits Accepting Bribes in Connection with Financial Transactions

CAMDEN, NJ—A former bank officer today admitted his role in soliciting and accepting bribes in connection with financial transactions, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Jose Dominguez, 46, of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with soliciting and accepting bribes as a bank officer in excess of $1,000. Dominguez solicited and accepted corrupt payments of $55,529, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with a bank transaction. He entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From January 1988 to February 2007, Dominguez was employed as a loan officer at Spencer Savings Bank in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. In 2003, Dominguez was contacted by a bank customer because the customer wanted to refinance some loans with Spencer Savings Bank and wanted to do so without paying significant prepayment penalty fees. Dominguez advised the customer that if the customer made corrupt payments to Dominguez, as the loan officer, the customer could obtain a lower interest rate without paying a prepayment penalty to Spencer Savings Bank.
Between August 2003 and December 2003, Dominguez accepted $55,529.57 in corrupt payments from the customer to influence the requested loan modification. Dominguez also admitted to accepting additional bribes from other bank customers in the amounts of $4,500 and $5,000, respectively.
The bank bribery charge to which Dominguez pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Dominguez also previously pleaded guilty on May 23, 2012, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and bank bribery as a Spencer Savings loan officer in connection with a separate case. Sentencing related to the charges from both cases is currently scheduled for September 19, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zahid N. Quraishi and Vikas Khanna of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Five Businesses During Three-Month Crime Spree

ALBUQUERQUE—Julio Francia, 22, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pled guilty this morning to robbing five Albuquerque-area businesses and to carrying a firearm during a crime of violence under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Francia’s guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales; 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari E. Brandenburg; Carol K.O. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI; and Chief Ray Schultz of the Albuquerque Police Department.
According to court filings, Francia was arrested on state charges on October 17, 2012, on allegations that he committed an armed robbery at a Subway Restaurant located at 8520 Montgomery Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. After Francia admitted committing a number of armed at commercial businesses in Albuquerque, including the Subway Restaurant, between August 2012 and October 2012, the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office charged Francia with numerous armed robbery offenses.
On November 27, 2012, Francia was federally indicted and charged with violating the Hobbs Act by robbing a business engaged in interstate commerce and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges in the indictment arose out of the armed robbery of the Subway Restaurant on October 17, 2012. On February 6, 2013, Francia was transferred from state custody to federal custody to face the charges in the federal indictment, and the state charges against Francia subsequently were dismissed.
During this morning’s proceedings, Francia pleaded guilty to the indictment charging him with a Hobbs Act robbery at the Subway Restaurant on October 17, 2012, and using a firearm during a crime on violence on that same day. Francia also entered a guilty plea to a four-count felony information charging him with committing Hobbs Act armed robberies at the following Albuquerque businesses: (1) the AutoZone located at 12904 Lomas Blvd. NE, on August 15, 2012; (2) the AutoZone, located at 8820 Montgomery Blvd. NE, on September 21, 2012; (3) the Taco Bell, located at 320 Eubank Blvd. NE, on October 3, 2012; and (4) the Twister’s Restaurant, located at 740 Juan Tabo NE, on October 4, 2012.
Francia has been in federal custody since February 2012 and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be set. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Francia will be sentenced to a federal prison term of 15 to 20 years.
This case was brought as part of a law enforcement initiative launched in July 2012, by the FBI’s Violent Crimes and Major Offender Squad and the Albuquerque Police Department’s Armed Robbery Unit that targets suspects implicated in commercial armed robberies. It is part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this anti-violence initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
The case was investigated by the Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department, with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon K. Stanford.

Jicarilla Apache Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting a Navajo Woman on the Mescalero Apache Reservation

ALBUQUERQUE—Earlier today, Heather Atole, 28, a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, was sentenced in Las Cruces federal court to 20 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release for her federal assault conviction. Atole also was ordered to pay $49,321.07 in restitution to cover the cost of medical treatment for the victim.
Atole initially was arrested by the Mescalero Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services on tribal charges on August 21, 2011, based on an assault that occurred on June 27, 2011. She subsequently was arrested by the FBI on a federal criminal complaint on November 22, 2011, and was indicted on November 30, 2011. The indictment charged Atole with (1) assault with a dangerous weapon and (2) assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to court filings, Atole repeatedly stabbed a 28-year-old Navajo woman in the early hours of June 27, 2011, during a party at a residence located on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The victim sustained stab wounds to the upper torso, shoulder and back. Atole later told law enforcement officers that she stabbed the victim because she saw the victim kiss her boyfriend.
On September 11, 2012, Atole pleaded guilty to both counts of the indictment. In entering her guilty plea, Atole admitted stabbing the victim four times with an eight-inch kitchen knife because she perceived the victim to be a romantic rival. Atole has been in federal custody since entering her guilty plea.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI and the Mescalero Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.

Robbery of Bank of the West in Albuquerque

The FBI and Albuquerque Police Department are looking for a man who robbed Bank of the West, 1422 Carlisle Blvd NE, in Albuquerque, on Thursday, May 23, 2013.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late 20s to late 30s, approximately 5’5” tall, with a medium build and brown goatee.
He wore a black baseball cap with a white bill, a red bandana around his neck, a black jersey with the word “Everlast” in yellow across the chest, a light long-sleeved shirt under the jersey, and dark short pants with white socks pulled up high.
Witnesses say the suspect entered the bank at approximately 1:46 p.m. He showed a teller a note and verbally demanded money.
The teller gave an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect, who was last seen heading toward Aspen Avenue NE.
Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense, and the penalty increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.
Anyone with information about this bank robbery is asked to call the Albuquerque FBI Office at (505) 889-1300 (24 hours) or Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (505) 843-STOP.
The FBI may pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

Robbery of Bank of the West Inside Albuquerque Albertsons

The FBI and Albuquerque Police Department are investigating a bank robbery that occurred at Bank of the West branch at 6600 Central Ave. SW, inside Albertsons Market, on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late 20s to early 30s, approximately 5’9” to 6’ tall, with a medium to heavy build and a brown goatee.
He wore what appeared to be a gray ski cap with white stripes over a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, a navy blue T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.
The suspect appeared to be wearing a wig with curly auburn or maroon hair.
Witnesses said the suspect walked up to a teller at approximately 3:08 p.m. and presented a note that demanded money.
The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect, who left the supermarket and was last seen walking west.
Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense, and the penalty increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.
Anyone with information about this bank robbery is asked to call the Albuquerque FBI Office at (505) 889-1300 (24 hours) or Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (505) 843-STOP.
The FBI may pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov.
Photos of the suspect are below.

 

Gallup Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

ALBUQUERQUE—Luke Spencer, 48, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Gallup, New Mexico, pleaded guilty this morning to an involuntary manslaughter charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Spencer and his cousin and co-defendant, Thomas Benally, 53, a Navajo man who also resides in Gallup, New Mexico, were indicted on March 1, 2012. The indictment charged Benally with second-degree murder and Spencer with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. According to the indictment, Benally, who was aided by Spencer, killed a man while driving under the influence of alcohol on the Navajo Indian Reservation between October 1, 2010 and October 2, 2010.
During this morning’s hearing, Spencer entered a guilty plea to a felony information charging him with involuntary manslaughter. In his plea agreement, Spencer admitted that, on the evening of October 2, 2010, he permitted Benally to drive his truck even though he knew that Benally was intoxicated. While driving the truck with Spencer’s permission and with Spencer as a passenger, Benally ran over their uncle, a 71-year-old Navajo man. Spencer acknowledged that he and Benally drove away in the truck without making any effort to check on the victim’s condition or calling the authorities to report the accident. The victim died, and his remains were found by a passerby on October 7, 2010. Today, Spencer admitted that he contributed to the victim’s death by giving the keys to his truck to Benally and permitting him to drive while intoxicated.
At sentencing, Spencer faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the second-degree murder charge against Spencer will be dismissed after he is sentenced.
Benally has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 13, 2012. He has entered a not guilty plea to the second-degree murder charge against him, which is merely an accusation. Benally is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer M. Rozzoni and Jack E. Burkhead based on an investigation by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI and the Crownpoint Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.

Governor Martinez’s Former Campaign Manager Indicted on Computer Intrusion and False Statement Charges

ALBUQUERQUE—U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales and Carol K.O. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI, announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Jamie Estrada, 40, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, on computer intrusion and false statement charges. The charges against Estrada arise out of the interception of wire communications intended for others, including New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and members of her staff.
Counts one through 12 of the 14-count indictment allege that Estrada unlawfully intercepted wire communication intended for individuals who had e-mail accounts on an Internet domain owned by the governor’s political organization. According to the indictment, the unlawful interceptions occurred between July 2011 and June 2012. Counts 13 and 14 charge Estrada with making false statements to the FBI in September 2012, in which he allegedly denied taking certain actions to unlawfully intercept wire communications as charged in counts one through 12 of the indictment. Estrada’s arraignment hearing has yet to be scheduled.
In announcing the indictment, U.S. Attorney Gonzales said, “This indictment reflects the high value that my office places on preserving the integrity of our electronic communications in a digital age. In a time when so much of our personal, professional, and financial information is repeatedly transmitted on a daily basis over e-mail and other means of wire communication, it is of paramount importance that we protect electronic information from being diverted, stolen, or otherwise misappropriated.”
Special Agent in Charge Lee added, “Thousands of intrusions into corporate networks, personal computers, and government systems occur daily, threatening our privacy, business secrets, and even national security. The Albuquerque FBI Division has devoted considerable resources into confronting this growing cyber threat, which is why this indictment today is so important to us. I would like to congratulate the FBI special agents and professional staff for their hard work on this case, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who would violate other people’s privacy not by breaking into homes and offices but by sneaking into computers and wireless devices.”
According to the indictment, in summer 2009, Governor Martinez, who was then the District Attorney in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, began assembling a political campaign as she prepared to enter the November 2010 gubernatorial race. In July 2009, one of the governor’s early political supporters registered an Internet domain that was designated as www.susana2010.com (the domain) for a two-year period through an online service. The supporter then donated the domain, including its username and password, to the governor’s political organization. The username and password were required for making administrative changes to the domain, including posting content to the domain’s website and creating e-mail accounts associated with the domain. The username and password also were required to renew the registration for the domain, which was scheduled to expire on July 18, 2011. As the owner of the domain, the governor’s political organization had the exclusive right to renew the registration before it expired and during a 42-day grace period following the expiration date.
The indictment alleges that, during the gubernatorial campaign, the domain became an important tool for the governor’s political organization. Members of the campaign staff, including Governor Martinez, maintained e-mail accounts on the domain, which they used to communicate with each other as well with the governor’s political supporters and the media. Estrada allegedly joined the governor’s political organization as the campaign manager in July 2009, and, in that capacity, was provided with the username and password for the domain. Estrada allegedly left the campaign in December 2009. Before his departure, the governor allegedly sent Estrada an e-mail requesting that he return all information belonging to the campaign, including any usernames and passwords to any accounts.
After Governor Martinez was inaugurated in January 2011, the governor, members of her staff, and others continued to use the e-mail accounts associated with the domain. In July 2011, individuals who had e-mail accounts on the domain began receiving reports that e-mails sent to those accounts were bouncing back to the senders and soon determined that the e-mails were not getting delivered because the domain had expired. Their efforts to re-register the domain were unsuccessful because they could not locate or recall the domain’s username and password. In July 2011 and as part of their efforts to locate the username and password, the governor’s staff allegedly asked Estrada to provide this information, and Estrada allegedly refused to comply with the request.
According to the indictment, in late July 2011, Estrada allegedly used the username and password to renew the domain and to change the domain’s settings so that, instead of going to their intended recipients, incoming e-mail communications were directed to an e-mail account on a different domain that was controlled by Estrada. As a result, between late July 2011 and June 2012, Estrada allegedly received e-mail communications intended for recipients, including Governor Martinez and members of her staff, who had e-mail accounts associated with the domain.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John C. Anderson and Fred J. Federici.

Arrest Made in Bank of Albuquerque Robbery

Richard R. Sedillo, 36, of Albuquerque, was arrested in connection with the bank robbery on Thursday, May 30, 2013, of the Bank of Albuquerque branch at 10131 Coors Blvd. SW, located inside the Albertsons supermarket, in Albuquerque.
Sedillo is expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque on Friday, May 31, 2013.
Witnesses say a man walked up to a teller at the bank at approximately 12:26 p.m. and presented a note demanding money.
The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the man, who left the bank.
Albuquerque Police officers arrested Sedillo during a vehicle stop shortly after the robbery.
No further information will be released until after Sedillo’s court appearance.
The public is reminded that all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.