TALLAHASSEE, FL – A pair of Florida men are facing serious time after pleading guilty to a brazen ATM fraud scheme that ripped off dozens of Wells Fargo customers. Isaleb Anofils, 31, of Vero Beach, and Donyell Garland, 32, of Tallahassee, admitted to conspiracy, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft last week, according to federal prosecutors.
The duo operated between January 1, 2018, and April 9, 2018, exploiting vulnerabilities in the financial system. They didn’t rely on brute force, but on tech-savvy deception. Anofils and Garland utilized a cell phone spoofing application and various online resources to pilfer personally identifiable information from unsuspecting victims. This stolen data became the key to unlocking their scheme.
Once armed with the stolen identities, the pair executed 285 fraudulent ATM transactions across Tallahassee-area banks. They didn’t just dip their toes in; they went all in, attempting to steal over $151,000 from 47 separate Wells Fargo customers. The investigation, a joint effort by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Secret Service, quickly exposed the scope of their operation.
Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty pleas, signaling a swift prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is leading the charge, promising to see justice served. The financial impact on the victims is substantial, and the government is pushing for a harsh sentence to deter similar crimes.
Both Anofils and Garland now face a maximum of 30 years behind bars for the conspiracy to commit bank fraud and the multiple counts of bank fraud. But that’s not all. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years, to be served consecutively to any other prison time imposed. This means a lengthy stretch in federal prison is almost guaranteed.
Sentencing hearings are scheduled for February 10 and 11, 2021, at the United States District Court in Tallahassee before Chief Judge Mark Walker. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, one of 94 nationwide, remains committed to combating financial crimes and bringing perpetrators like Anofils and Garland to account. Those seeking public court documents can find them on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.
Related Federal Cases
- Larry Malone Sentenced for Bank Fraud, Bainbridge GA, 2014 · Georgia
- Viviane Cazeau, Bank Fraud Scheme, Massachusetts, 2023 · New Hampshire
- John M. Bales, Bank Fraud Conspiracy, Texas, 2023 · South Carolina
- Orlando Pascual Jr., HIV Treatment Medicare Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Mississippi
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Mississippi
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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