Edwin Robles, 38, of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty on Mar. 26 to 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 began in January 2025 when Vance Ashley was recruited by members of the conspiracy to impersonate other individuals and make unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts in exchange for money. Between January 28 and February 3, Ashley traveled with Robles and co-conspirators Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera to various banks in Wilmington, Delaware; Liberty, New York; and Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where Ashley used stolen identifications to attempt or complete unauthorized withdrawals.
On February 5, the group went to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport within the Western District of New York where Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal from an Erie, Pennsylvania resident’s account and purchased a bank check using those funds. Later that day at another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville—also within the district—Ashley again withdrew funds without authorization from another victim’s account based in North East, Pennsylvania and purchased another bank check with those funds. On this same day Robles unlawfully used someone else’s identification during a felony offense.
The total loss associated with these actions—including both actual losses suffered by victims as well as intended losses—amounts to $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 as well as Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
Sentencing for Robles will be scheduled at a later date.
