Nine Individuals Indicted For Bank Fraud

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Press Release

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Puerto Rico








Defendants Are Facing A Forfeiture Allegation Of $92,600

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– Nine individuals have been indicted for their
alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud,
access devices fraud, and/or aggravated identity theft, announced Rosa
Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Pu-
erto Rico. The United States Secret Service is in charge of the investi-
gation. The indictment was unsealed today upon the arrest of the defen-
dants.

The indictment, returned on October 1st, 2015 by a federal grand jury
in the District of Puerto Rico, includes sixteen charges against the follo-
wing individuals: Carlos Bauzó-Vázquez, aka “Carlitos;” Lesville Ma-
tos-Bauzó, aka “Billy;” Gloria Bauzó-Vázquez, aka “Milagritos;” Hen-
ry Pérez-Díaz; Laydy Mar Feliciano-Miranda; Héctor Vega-Rivera, aka
“El Gringo;” José Díaz-Caraballo, aka “Timana;” David González-Ferrer;
and Rafael González-Ferrer.

These charges stem from a scheme utilized by the defendants from app-
roximately July 2014 to April 2015 to provide false employment, income,
and residency information to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico in order to
receive multiple personal loans and lines of credit. A member of the gro-
up would call Banco Popular’s Telebanco Popular service and request a
loan using the name, birth date, and social security number of another de-
fendant. During the course of the call, false information would be provi-
ded to the bank regarding where the person lived and worked. Further,
false information would be provided regarding the person’s income.

Once the requested loan was approved pending the submission of suppor-
ting documentation, defendants would take false documents to the bank as
evidence of the information provided via telephone. In particular, the de-
fendants utilized fictitious companies and falsified payroll documents in
support of the loan requests. Defendants would then cash the loan checks
and distribute the cash to members of the conspiracy. This scheme was re-
peated multiple times. On at least one occasion, credit cards were reques-
ted using the same information and documentation fraudulently submitted
to the bank for the loan. Members of the conspiracy then made cash advan-
ce withdrawals from bank branches and Automated Teller Machines
(ATM’s).

The indictment alleges one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, a
violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 1344; nine
counts of bank fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1344, related to loan checks or cash advances fraudulently obtained from
the bank; five counts of aggravated identity theft, of a violation of Title 18,
United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1), related to the possession and use
without lawful authority of a means of identification in relation to bank fra-
ud charged in the indictment; and one count of access devices fraud, a vio-
lation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(2), related to the
use of unauthorized access devices, credit cards, obtained with intent to
defraud. The total value of the fraud was approximately $92,600.

If found guilty, defendants face a maximum penalty of thirty years in pri-
son for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, ten years in pri-
son for access devises fraud, and a mandatory two year consecutive term
in prison for aggravated identity theft.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. The case is be-
ing prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe.

Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants
are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investiga-
tion is ongoing.

31 Arrested For Defrauding Department Of Education

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Puerto Rico

Press Release

On September 9, 2015, a Federal grand jury returned a seventy-four count 

indictment charging Rocket Learning, LLC and 31 individuals with conspi-

racy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, theft of government money and pro-

perty, and aggravated identity theft, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vé-

lez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Department 

of Education- Office of Inspector General, the FBI and ICE-HSI are in char-

ge of the investigation. The indictment was unsealed earlier today.

The indictment alleges twenty six-counts of mail fraud, a violation of Title 

18, United States Code, Section 1341, related to payments caused to be made 

via the U.S. Mail to Rocket Learning, Inc., for twenty six fraudulent invoices 

submitted  from 2011 - 2013 to the Puerto Rico Department of Education; one 

count of theft of public money, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sec-

tion 641, related to the approximately $954,297.00 in stolen Title I Federal Fun-

ds; and forty-five counts of aggravated identity theft, a violation of Title 18, 

United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1), related to the use of means of identi-

fication of another person by using the name and signature of real students, in 

relation to the theft of public money charged in the indictment.

“Individuals and businesses who choose to illegally enrich themselves at the ex-

pense of our students and the U.S. taxpayer, instead of providing the educational 

services invoiced, will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted by the Depart-

ment of Justice,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for 

the District of Puerto Rico. “These arrests demonstrate the combined federal co-

mmitment to combating fraud, waste and abuse. The investigation continues”.

“Supplemental Education Services program funds provide critical resources for 

deserving students who seek to improve their academic performance.  Today’s 

actions allege that these 31 individuals and the corporation they worked for, bill-

ed and retained SES payments for students who did not receive the tutoring ser-

vices. That is unacceptable,” said Yessyka Santana, Special Agent in Charge of 

the U.S.Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Southeastern Re-

gional Office.  “Tracking down those who would cheat this important program is

a priority of our office.”

The defendants are:

Rocket Learning, LLC

Brenda Pérez García – SES Director

Juan Nieves Rivera Rivera –Director of San Juan Region

José Acevedo Rivera –Director of Caguas Region

Lynnette Asencio Plaza –Director of Ponce Region

Héctor Baez Villanueva –Director of Arecibo Region

Kay Pagán Rivera – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Karenie Laborde Muñiz – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Annerys Rodríguez Aponte – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Lis García Medina – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Edjeledeira Meléndez-Rivera – Jr. Program Manager in Caguas Region

Jonathan Morales Febus – Operation Coordinator in Caguas Region

Jeannette Ramírez-Zapata – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Francisco Sánchez Zayas – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Yamaris Torres Ortiz – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Sayra López Torres – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Anita Ortiz Rodríguez – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Sheila Pagán Carrasquillo – Operation Coordinator in Ponce Region

Elba Yanira Jiménez Pérez – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Gretchen Román Soto – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Milliam Centeno Soto – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Emmanuel Cruz Martínez – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Katia Tapia Torres – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Noraima Mercado Vázquez – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Nayra Alicea Delgado – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Eileen Gutiérrez Stone – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Glorymar Rodríguez Casiano – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Minerva Mendoza Acevedo – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Suhayl Méndez Reyes – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Javier Reyes López – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Luisa García Arriaga – Program Manager in San Juan Region

José Sánchez Bauzá – Program Manager in San Juan Region

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Erbe 

and the Chief of the Financial Fraud and Corruption Unit, José Capó-Iriarte. If 

found guilty, defendants are facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and 

two additional years for each aggravated identity theft count. Indictments contain 

only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be inno-

cent unless and until proven guilty.

Police Officer Arrested For Migrant Smuggling

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Puerto Rico

United States Magistrate Judge Bruce J. McGiverin authorized a criminal
complaint charging San Juan Municipal police officer Luz Zoraida Rojas-
Delgado with one count of human smuggling, announced United States

Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. Immigration and Customs Enfor-

cement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) is in charge of the 

investigation.

According to the information contained in the affidavit submitted in support 

of the criminal complaint, on August 24, 2015, Rojas-Delgado established 

communication with a Source of Information requesting assistance  to smu-

ggle a friend from Antigua to Puerto Rico. Rojas-Delgado had previously 

engaged in communications with other people in an attempt to make a deal 

for the venture but did not agree with the price of $3,000 established by the 

alleged smuggler.

The investigation conducted by the ICE-HSI revealed that on August 25,
2015, Rojas-Delgado agreed with an undercover agent, who she believed 

was a smuggler, to bring her Dominican friend from Antigua for $2,800. 

On August 28, 2015, the defendant met with the undercover agent and af-

ter paying $1,800 for the smuggling, she was arrested.

The investigation also revealed that Rojas-Delgado stated that she was wor-
king on building a case against transporters to later turn it over to pertinent 

agencies. HSI special agents were able to confirm with the San Juan Muni-

cipal Police that Rojas-Delgado was not working on any authorized opera-

tion at the time of her arrest.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Erbe.
If convicted defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. A cri-
minal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defen-
dant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PR Superior Court Judge Sentenced To 10 Years For Accepting Bribes

Press Release / June 11, 2015

US Attorney's Office / District of Puerto Rico




A Puerto Rico Superior Court Judge was sentenced today to 10 years in prison
today after being convicted earlier this year of accepting bribes to acquit a bu-
sinessman of vehicular homicide charges.  Assistant Attorney General Leslie
R.Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney
Rosa Emilia RodríguezVélez of the District of Puerto Rico made the announ-
cement.

In January, a federal jury convicted Judge Manuel Acevedo-Hernandez, 63,
of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery
and receipt of a bribe by an agent of an organization receiving federal funds.
 Chief U.S. District Judge Aida M. Delgado of the District of Puerto Rico im-
posed the sentence.

Acevedo-Hernandez presided over the trial of Lutgardo Acevedo-Lopez, 39,
a certified public accountant in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Acevedo-Lopez was
charged with criminal vehicular homicide based on his role in a June 2012
collision involving the vehicle he was driving and another car, which resulted
in the death of the other driver.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Acevedo-Lopez used an interme-
diary to bribe Acevedo-Hernandez by paying taxes owed by Acevedo-Hernan-
dez; paying for the construction of a garage for Acevedo-Hernandez's home;
and providing Acevedo-Hernandez with a motorcycle, clothing and accesso-
ries, including cuff links and a watch.  In exchange, Acevedo-Hernandez ac-
quitted Acevedo-Lopez of all charges.

In August 2014, Acevedo-Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fe-
deral programs bribery and to paying a bribe to an agent of an organization
receiving federal funds.  Acevedo-Lopez has not yet been sentenced.


The case was investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division.  The case was
prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Peter Mason and Menaka Kalaskar of the Cri-
minal Division’s Public Integrity Section and First Assistant U.S. Attorney
Timothy Henwood and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Capó of the District of
Puerto Rico.

Court Upholds Conviction In Madelin Semidey-Morales Case

Press Release

US Dept of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office / District of Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 13, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals 

for the First Circuit submitted a 57 page opinion affirming the conviction of Edison

 Burgos-Montes, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the 

District of Puerto Rico.

Edison Burgos-Montes appealed from his conviction for two counts of drug cons-

piracy and two counts of murder. The latter stemmed from the disappearance of 

Burgos-Montes’ girlfriend – Madelin Semidey-Morales – shortly after Burgos-

Montes learned that she had been acting as a government informant. Burgos-Mon-

tes challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction, the denial 

of several pre-trial motions to suppress evidence, and a number of other district 

court actions before and during trial.

In upholding the jury’s verdict, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals found 

Burgos-Montes’ arguments unpersuasive and, thus, affirmed his conviction.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico congratulates all the 

prosecutors and agents who worked tirelessly in the investigation and prosecution 

of Burgos-Montes, with great success,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. 

Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The appeal was handled by Assistant U.S. 

Attorney Francisco A. Besosa, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Appellate Division.

USAO - District of Puerto Rico