ROCHESTER, NY – Maria A. English, 28, of Rochester, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 15 months for her role in a brazen bank fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford handed down the sentence today, marking the latest chapter in a case that exposed a calculated effort to steal identities and finance a lifestyle built on lies.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, English, along with her co-conspirator Michael Debardlabon, systematically pilfered the lives of unsuspecting Florida residents. Between November 2012 and September 2013, the pair used stolen names, social security numbers, and dates of birth to secure financing for luxury vehicles – an Infinity, a Lexus, and a BMW – leaving the victims to grapple with the fallout of the fraudulent activity.
The scheme wasn’t limited to auto loans. Investigators uncovered evidence that English and Debardlabon also used a third Florida resident’s personal information to open an American Express card, racking up charges for airfare – a free ride funded by someone else’s stolen identity. Financial institutions like ESL and Ally Financial were duped into providing the funding, believing they were dealing with legitimate borrowers.
Debardlabon was previously convicted and sentenced for his participation in the fraud, but English’s sentencing brings a measure of closure to a case that highlights the pervasive threat of identity theft. The investigation, spearheaded by the United States Postal Inspection Service, under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Raymond Moss of the Boston Division, and the Rochester Police Department, led by Chief Michael Ciminelli, demonstrated a coordinated effort to dismantle the criminal operation.
This wasn’t a victimless crime. The Florida residents whose identities were stolen now face years of potential financial headaches and the arduous task of repairing their credit. The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal information and the lengths to which criminals will go to exploit it.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. emphasized that the sentence should send a clear message: identity theft and financial fraud will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases like this, exposing the underbelly of crime and holding perpetrators accountable. Contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 for further inquiries.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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