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Roberto De Miranda Martinez, ATM Skimming, Virginia 2018
RICHMOND, VA – A brazen scheme to drain accounts across the Eastern District of Virginia has landed an Alexandria man facing decades behind bars. Roberto De Miranda Martinez, 43, admitted guilt today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, stemming from a sophisticated ATM skimming operation that pilfered approximately $1.2 million from unsuspecting bank customers.
The bust came when Martinez was caught red-handed in Colonial Heights, actively installing a card-reading skimming device and a hidden camera on a local ATM. These devices, as investigators detailed, surreptitiously capture account data when customers swipe their cards. That stolen information is then used to create counterfeit cards, allowing the perpetrators to directly access and siphon funds from victims’ accounts. It’s a low-tech crime, but devastating in scale when executed with this level of coordination.
An investigation led by the FBI, with significant support from the U.S. Secret Service’s Richmond Field Office and local police departments in Colonial Heights and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, peeled back layers of the operation, revealing the staggering $1.2 million in losses. The reach of the scheme extended beyond Virginia, indicating a potentially widespread network exploiting vulnerable ATMs. Authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional arrests.
“This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment crime,” stated Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This was a calculated and deliberate effort to defraud financial institutions and steal from hardworking citizens.” The collaborative effort between federal and local agencies proved crucial in bringing Martinez to justice and dismantling this criminal enterprise.
Martinez now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison when he appears before U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck on August 1. While the maximum is substantial, federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors will ultimately determine the length of his incarceration. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. David Schiller is prosecuting the case, ensuring that Martinez is held accountable for the financial damage he inflicted.
The case underscores the persistent threat of ATM skimming and the importance of vigilance for bank customers. Authorities urge individuals to regularly monitor their bank statements for unauthorized transactions and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Court documents related to the case (Case No. 3:18-cr-49) are publicly available on the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia website and through PACER. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also maintains a copy of the press release on its website.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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