Matthew R. Molsen United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
The United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska, Lesley A. Woods, has announced that a federal Grand Jury has returned four indictments charging nine individuals with offenses related to ATM jackpotting schemes across several states. The affected states include Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Iowa, Oregon, and Washington.
ATM jackpotting is a cyberattack method where criminals exploit vulnerabilities in ATMs to make them dispense cash without affecting any account balance.
The indictments were filed on May 19 and charge the defendants with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Burglary, Attempted Bank Burglary, Conspiracy to Access a Protected Computer, and Attempted Access of a Protected Computer. These charges carry potential penalties ranging from five to twenty years in prison, fines up to $250,000, and supervised release terms of up to three years. All defendants are Venezuelan citizens.
Yoinber Alfonso Morey Morey is accused of committing these crimes between March 1 and April 10 in Hall and Lancaster counties. Jose David Alvarez-Jimenez, Yohalex Garcia-Valladares, Alexander Jose Mayora-Blanco, and Johan Rodriguez-Hernandez allegedly committed their crimes from January 1 through February 11 in Adams County, Nebraska; and Kit Carson County, Colorado.
Ivan Jose Angulo Flores and Jose Antonio Aliendres Garcia are alleged to have committed offenses from March 1 through May 1 in Adams County; Bates County, Missouri; and Appanoose County, Iowa. Juan Manuel Gouveia-Aguilera and Alfredo Pinto-Mendoza are accused of similar crimes during the same period in Lincoln County; Walla Walla County, Washington; and Umatilla County, Oregon.
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated: “These indictments are the direct result of the investigative teamwork between FBI Omaha and our local law enforcement partners here in Nebraska to safeguard our community. The dedication of the North Platte Police Department, the Adams County Sheriff's Office, the Grand Island Police Department as well as Papillon Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol's participation on FBI Omaha's Cyber Task Force was integral to the arrests of the defendants. Our partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies is a force multiplier in bringing criminals to justice and protecting the American people.”
It is important to note that indictments are charging documents containing accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
