Natalie Enid González-Rodríguez Indicted for Bank Fraud in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, P.R. – A federal grand jury returned a 37-count indictment against 22 individuals, including Natalie Enid González-Rodríguez, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 18 substantive counts of bank fraud, and 16 counts of aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.
According to the indictment, González-Rodríguez produced or procured fraudulent checks using the names and addresses of unsuspecting business concerns operating in Puerto Rico as apparent issuers of the checks, specifying the routing and account number for the PR Lottery’s bank account. The false checks were issued payable to one of the following defendants as employees or contractors: Vanessa Pérez; María Magdalena Silva, a.k.a. “María Magdalena Robaina/María Silva/María Robaina;” Miguel Ángel Robaina, a.k.a. “Miguel Robaina;” Destini Angelica Hanze, a.k.a. “Destini Hanze;” Ángel Miguel Berríos-García, a.k.a. “Ángel M. Berrios-García/Ángel Berríos;” Melissa Parilla-Belardo, a.k.a. “Melissa Parrilla;” Luis Alberto Maldonado III, a.k.a. “Luis A. Maldonado/Luis Alberto Maldonado;” Johanna Luciano-Velázquez, a.k.a. “Johanna Luciano;” Martin Martínez-López, a.k.a. “Martin Martínez;” Eric Alberto Delgado-Carmona, a.k.a. “Eric Delgado/Eric Delgado Carmona;” Pedro Iván Cortés-Castañón, a.k.a. “Pedro Cortés/Pedro Iván Cortés;” Allan R. Mercado-Serrano, a.k.a. “Allan Mercado;” Julieanies Mercado-Laboy, a.k.a. “Julieanies Mercado;” Marc Anthony Ramos-Medina, a.k.a. “Marc Anthony Ramos;” Gustavo A. Cruz-Rosado, a.k.a. “Gustavo Cruz;” Joshua A. Molina-Morales, a.k.a. “Joshua Molina;” Natyshia Enid Soto-González, a.k.a. “Natyshia Enid Soto/Natyshia Soto;” Edmilio Rosario-Ramírez, a.k.a. “Edmilio Rosario/Ángel Ruiz Rodríguez/El Millo;” Angelo Rodríguez-Cortés, a.k.a. “Angelo Rodríguez;” Antonio L. Pacheco-Ayala, a.k.a. “Antonio Pacheco;” and Yalitza Quiñones-Figueroa, a.k.a. “Yaritza Quiñones.”
The indictment alleges that the co-conspirators would take the false checks to multiple discount stores to negotiate them in exchange for cash or to use them to buy consumer products and return the proceeds of the scheme to González-Rodríguez, who would then give them a portion of those proceeds. By executing the scheme and cashing the false checks at the discount stores, supermarkets and department stores, the co-conspirators obtained and procured funds belonging to the PR Lottery by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.
González-Rodríguez is facing 16 counts of aggravated identity theft. Between on or about October 2, 2015 through the date of this indictment, aided and abetted by the defendants listed in each count, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly transfer, possess, and use, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another real person as detailed in each count during and in relation to the bank fraud.
“Defendant González-Rodríguez perpetrated this fraudulent scheme over many years, and involved many people who are defendants today for a fragment of the proceeds she generated. These charges once again demonstrate the U.S. Attorney’s Office resolve to investigate and prosecute those who perpetrate financial schemes to defraud unsuspected victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.
The United States Secret Service was in charge of the investigation.
Natalie Enid González-Rodríguez, the defendant, was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 18 substantive counts of bank fraud, and 16 counts of aggravated identity theft. The scheme resulted in the illegal obtaining of $560,640.43 from the Bureau of the Lottery of Puerto Rico, a division of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department. The defendants are currently facing charges, and their current status is not specified in the article.
This case highlights the importance of protecting sensitive information and the consequences of identity theft. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who engage in financial crimes.
Defendant: Natalie Enid González-Rodríguez
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, 18 substantive counts of bank fraud, and 16 counts of aggravated identity theft
City and State: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Date: December 13, 2018
Sentence or Outcome: Currently facing charges
Dollar Amount: $560,640.43
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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