Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
A former bank employee in San Francisco, Sixto Christopher Porras, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of embezzlement and access device fraud. The indictment, filed on June 17, 2025, was unsealed today as Porras made his initial appearance in federal district court.
Porras, 32, worked as an associate banker at a San Francisco branch of a large national bank. According to the indictment, he allegedly stole funds from two retail bank customers' accounts while employed there. In August 2023, during a wire transfer transaction at the branch, Porras reportedly obtained the security personal identification number (PIN) of a customer's debit card and kept the card without the customer's knowledge. He is accused of using it to embezzle approximately $100,000 from the account.
In September 2023, another customer visited the branch regarding a fraudulent charge. Porras allegedly acquired this customer's debit card PIN and had their card reissued to his residence in San Francisco. He then used it to embezzle about $340,000 from their accounts.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen.
Porras has been released on bond and is scheduled for another court appearance on July 14, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Kang for identification of counsel.
He faces one count each of embezzlement of bank funds under 18 U.S.C. § 656 and access device fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(5). If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for embezzlement and up to 15 years in prison with a $250,000 fine for access device fraud. Sentencing would consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Rezaei is leading the prosecution with assistance from Lynette Dixon following an investigation by IRS-CI.
