By: Richard L. Smith
Brando Mancebo, 24, of Paterson, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for his involvement in a bank fraud conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger made this announcement Wednesday.
The case took a decisive turn when Mancebo, who had previously lived in Paterson, admitted his guilt via videoconference.
He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty, who presided over the case. In light of his plea, Judge McNulty handed down the prison sentence in a hearing held in Newark federal court.
The allegations against Mancebo and his co-conspirators, as detailed in court documents and statements made during the proceedings, paint a troubling picture.
His associates are said to have conspired to unlawfully access U.S. Postal Service collection boxes located in Bergen, Hudson, and Morris counties, stealing mail in the process.
Their scheme involved the fraudulent deposit of stolen checks into bank accounts connected to members of the conspiracy despite not being named as payees on these checks.
Subsequently, the conspirators withdrew funds from these accounts, executing an intricate web of deception.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge McNulty handed down further penalties. Mancebo was sentenced to five years of supervised release, during which his activities will be closely monitored.
Furthermore, he was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $106,374 to compensate for the financial losses incurred by their criminal actions. Additionally, Mancebo is required to forfeit $2,025 as part of his sentencing.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences individuals may face when involved in fraudulent activities that undermine the integrity of the financial system and disrupt the lives of others.
