Eight defendants, including Brian Marte, also known as ‘Trini Rabiia,’ have been charged with engaging in a mail theft and bank fraud conspiracy in the Bronx, New York.
The scheme, which began in 2015, involved stealing mail from residents in the Bronx, specifically targeting checks and money orders. The stolen funds were then deposited into the defendants’ and others’ bank accounts.
According to the indictment, the defendants used various methods to steal mail, including obtaining mail box keys and using homemade devices to ‘fish’ for mail in public mailboxes.
Since 2015, law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the New York City Police Department, have been investigating mail theft in the Bronx. During this time, over 50 individuals have been arrested, and over $750,000 in checks and money orders has been recovered.
The eight defendants, who were arrested on [date] in Manhattan federal court, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft and bank fraud. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, ‘These eight defendants allegedly hatched a scheme to steal mail from Bronx residents, specifically targeting mail they thought would contain checks or money orders, then depositing stolen funds into their own and others’ accounts.’
USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett added, ‘When I think of the brazenness of these individuals to allegedly steal U.S. Mail coupled with their total disregard for the financial well-being of the communities impacted by their crimes, it takes the word insolent to new heights.’
The defendants are: Brian Marte, Erickson Batista, Junior Taveras, Angel Aristy, Luis Rosado, Eoscaterys Polanco, Brayan Rodriguez, and Ronardo Baez.
Defendant: Brian Marte (a/k/a ‘Trini Rabiia’)
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit mail theft and bank fraud
City and State: Bronx, New York
Date: 2015
Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending
Dollar Amounts: Over $750,000 in checks and money orders recovered
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Ferguson, Securities Fraud, New York 2020 · Ohio
- Todd Faustin, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Loan Fraud, New York 2023 · Ohio
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Loan Fraud, New York 2020 · New York
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud, New York 2025 · Oregon
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News