Seven individuals were sentenced in federal court in Brooklyn for their involvement in a transnational telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims, many of whom were elderly, of more than $12 million. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon.
Yveler Marcellus was convicted at trial and received a sentence of 70 months in prison. Felix Marcial was sentenced to 66 months, Asheem Henry to 55 months, George Mims and Rahmel Thompson each to 42 months, Daquan Mitchell to 30 months, and Tatiana Williams to one year and one day. All except Marcellus pleaded guilty under plea agreements.
The defendants were ordered to pay a total of $12,488,884.33 in restitution. They must also forfeit proceeds from the crime: Marcellus will pay $185,000; Marcial $700,000; Henry $240,000; Mims $170,000; Thompson $160,000; and Williams must forfeit a bank account valued at over $229,000 and pay an additional $60,000.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York—which prosecutes federal crimes and civil matters in Brooklyn and surrounding areas as described on its official website—announced the sentences with Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“Today’s punishment was certainly warranted for the defendants who caused tremendous harm to the victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Through their callous scheme, the defendants profited by moving millions of dollars of victims’ hard-earned funds through their accounts and other accounts that they controlled and transferring a share of those proceeds to co-conspirators abroad who coordinated the telemarketing scheme. Those who participate in fraudulent conspiracies and work with individuals who prey on the vulnerable will be held accountable for their crimes.”
“These criminals selfishly preyed on vulnerable victims to enrich their lifestyles; but they underestimated the resolve of the United States Postal Inspection Service to continue to investigate this case until every complicit person was held accountable,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward. “Postal Inspectors will work tirelessly to shut down schemes like this and any fraudster who seeks to take advantage of others. Too many seniors fall for these financial schemes, it’s crucial to protect them and their hard-earned money, and that’s what was done in this case.”
From January 2022 through December 2023, India-based co-conspirators contacted U.S.-based victims by phone under false pretenses—including claims that victims’ money was at risk—and convinced them to send checks or money orders addressed to members of the conspiracy within New York’s Eastern District. The U.S.-based defendants laundered these funds through various bank accounts before sharing proceeds among themselves and sending remaining amounts overseas.
The Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section prosecuted the case along with General Crimes Section attorneys Elias Laris, Molly Delaney, David Berman (prosecution), and Tanisha Payne (asset forfeiture).
Defendants sentenced include Yveler Marcellus (Brooklyn), Felix Marcial (Brooklyn), Tatiana Williams (Miramar), Asheem Henry (New York City), George Mims (New York City), Rahmel Thompson (Queens), Daquan Mitchell (New York City). Daniel Vernon from Queens is yet to be sentenced.
The U.S. Attorney's Office supports community outreach efforts as well as victim assistance services across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County.
