Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted two Venezuelan nationals, Joel Alejandro Morantes Leal and Endis Daniel Gonzalez Ortega, for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to steal cash from ATMs. The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
The charges against Morantes include one count of bank robbery, one count of accessing a protected computer in furtherance of fraud, and three counts of attempting to access a protected computer in furtherance of fraud.
Court documents reveal that between April 1 and May 29, 2025, Morantes and Gonzalez participated in an ATM "jackpotting" scheme. They allegedly used malware to make ATMs dispense money without valid transactions across California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Nebraska, Utah, and Washington. Over 30 ATMs were targeted or attempted to be targeted during the operation. In one instance at a Merced County credit union in April 2025, approximately $94,800 was stolen.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office and the Eugene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Spivak and Arelis M. Clemente are handling the prosecution.
If convicted on conspiracy charges, both defendants face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Morantes could face additional penalties if convicted on other charges related to bank robbery and computer access crimes. Sentencing would be determined based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines after conviction.
It is important to note that these charges are allegations at this stage; the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
