EVANSVILLE- Three co-conspirators have been sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-state bank fraud scheme that targeted federally insured financial institutions. Using stolen identities, sophisticated counterfeit documents, and chemically “washed” checks, the defendants carried out an organized effort to steal tens of thousands of dollars while attempting to defraud victims of more than $300,000 in total. This case was brought as part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
DefendantCharge(s)SentenceRestitution Samuel B. Javier, 28, of Bronx, New YorkConspiracy to commit bank fraud & aggravated identity theft4 years, 6 months imprisonment, 1 year of supervised release$58,800Courtney J. Jackson, 38, of Connecticut Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, & aggravated identity theft. 8 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release$58,800.00Patricia A. Cimino (a.k.a. Pattianne Rodriguez), 62, of Connecticut Conspiracy to commit bank fraud & aggravated identity theft3 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release $58,800.00According to court documents, between August 1 and September 16, 2025, the three defendants carried out—and attempted to carry out—approximately 30 fraudulent withdrawals at financial institutions across Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Using stolen identities and counterfeit identification cards, the defendants successfully stole $58,800 and attempted to steal a total of $180,058.19.
As one example, on September 13, 2025, Jackson and Javier directed Cimino to enter a bank in Princeton, Indiana, and falsely identify herself as “M.B.” to withdraw funds from the victim’s account. Jackson and Javier supplied Cimino with counterfeit identification documents bearing M.B.’s name and Cimino’s photograph, including a counterfeit U.S. Army identification card. When bank staff requested additional verification, Cimino provided M.B.’s Social Security number and date of birth, which Jackson and Javier relayed to her through an earpiece. Cimino successfully withdrew $8,700 from the victim’s account.
On September 17, 2025, Javier shipped a package from Indianapolis to the Bronx, New York, via FedEx. Inside the package were seven counterfeit U.S. Army identification cards, seven counterfeit U.S. passport cards, and 14 stolen checks. The fraudulent identification cards featured Cimino’s photograph paired with the personal information of seven different victims.
The defendants also obtained stolen checks, chemically “washed” them to remove the original ink, and rewrote the checks payable to themselves for higher amounts. They then attempted to deposit the altered checks into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Through this scheme, the defendants intended to steal an additional $149,286.45.
Samuel Javier is a citizen of the Dominican Republic whose visa has expired. At the time he entered his guilty plea, Javier acknowledged that he will be subject to removal from the United States upon completion of his sentence.
“These defendants didn’t hesitate to exploit stolen identities, counterfeit documents, and even fake U.S. Army identification cards to carry out their scheme. Pretending to serve in our nation’s military to steal from innocent Americans is not just fraud, it is an appalling act of deception that insults the men and women who wear the uniform with honor. Their conduct was deliberate, coordinated, and deeply harmful,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Today’s sentences reaffirm our commitment to protecting Hoosiers by aggressively pursuing fraudsters and holding accountable those who weaponize deceit against our financial institutions.”
“Fraudsters can use sophisticated tactics and move across state lines, but they can’t hide from investigators who know how to follow the evidence,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This investigation is a good example of law enforcement agencies working together to identify a coordinated criminal scheme and bring those responsible to justice. We will continue to pursue criminals who target our financial institutions and steal from others for their own gain.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Indiana State Police investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew B. Miller and Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.