Henry Joseph Williams, 51, of Rochester, NY, has pleaded guilty to bank fraud after a calculated scheme to defraud two financial institutions of more than $8,100. The longtime fraud offender exploited ATM card dispute systems by falsely claiming his cards were stolen—then pocketing the credited funds while racking up fresh charges.
Between May and August 2015, Williams opened accounts at two local banks and used linked ATM cards to make fraudulent withdrawals and purchases. After incurring approximately $8,100 in charges, he filed disputes asserting the cards had been stolen—triggering reversals and refunds. The scam unraveled when investigators traced the pattern of activity directly to him, exposing the lies behind each claim.
At the time of the fraud, Williams was on federal supervised release stemming from a 2012 wire fraud conviction—making his latest crime a direct violation of court-ordered supervision. His return to criminal behavior didn’t go unnoticed. The U.S. Probation Department flagged the suspicious activity, prompting a joint investigation with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci handed down an 18-month prison sentence and ordered Williams to pay $6,139.84 in restitution to the victim banks. The amount reflects the net loss after partial recoveries, but the damage to institutional trust runs deeper. Prosecutors emphasized the brazen nature of the fraud, calling it a repeat performance from a defendant with a proven history of financial deception.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who prosecuted the case, said Williams deliberately exploited banking safeguards meant to protect legitimate customers. “He didn’t just break the law—he weaponized the system designed to help victims,” Field stated. “And he did it while under federal supervision, showing no regard for the court’s authority.”
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, led by Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski, and the U.S. Probation Department, under Anthony San Giacomo. Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced the outcome, underscoring that repeat financial offenders will face federal consequences. Williams now begins his 18-month sentence, returning to federal custody just years after his last release.
Related Federal Cases
- Bank Mogul Busted in $50M Fraud Ring · New York
- NY Valet Scam: 37 Months for Fraud · Ohio
- Republic First Bank Collapses: Fulton Bank Swoops In · Iowa
- New York Community Bancorp Takes Over Signature Bridge Bank Deposits · Washington
- FDIC Takes Control of Signature Bank, Establishes Bridge Bank · Washington
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News