Edwin Robles, 38, of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty on Mar. 26 to charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The case centers on a scheme that took place in early 2025 involving Robles and several co-conspirators who recruited individuals to impersonate account holders at various banks across multiple states. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno said that Vance Ashley was recruited in January 2025 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, agreeing to pose as other people and make unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts for payment.
Between January 28 and February 3, Ashley traveled with Robles and others—including Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera—to banks in Wilmington, Delaware; Liberty, New York; and Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. At these locations, Ashley used stolen identifications to attempt or complete unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ accounts.
On February 5 of the same year, the group visited Northwest Bank branches in Lockport and Williamsville within the Western District of New York. There they continued making unauthorized withdrawals using victim identities from Erie and North East Pennsylvania respectively; they also purchased bank checks with funds taken from those accounts. On that day as well, Robles unlawfully used another person’s identification during a felony offense.
Authorities report that the total loss amount—combining actual losses with intended losses—reached $91,300. Ashley has already been convicted for his role in the scheme and is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division under Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis along with Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
Sentencing for Robles will be scheduled at a later date.
