NEWARK, NJ — The first of 12 defendants charged in a stolen mail scheme has admitted responsibility for conspiring to launder money in connection with fraudulently deposited checks, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced Aug. 17.
Hans Pierre, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of money laundering conspiracy.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, from January 2018 through October 2020, Pierre conspired to launder money obtained from bank fraud. Pierre and his conspirators obtained checks belonging to residents in the Newark area by stealing mail containing the checks from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes. The conspirators allegedly altered the stolen checks so they appeared to be written payable to a different recipient and for a larger amount. Pierre and other conspirators then deposited the checks into other bank accounts and transferred the money to each other using web-based money transfer applications.
The count of money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 21.
The charges against the 11 other defendants are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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