A Bronx man has pleaded guilty to federal charges tied to a multi-state bank fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted several victims’ accounts.
Michael Herrera, 45, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in federal court in Buffalo.
According to federal prosecutors, the scheme involved recruiting a co-conspirator to impersonate account holders and withdraw money from their bank accounts.
Investigators say that in January 2025, co-conspirator Vance Ashley was recruited in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to pose as other individuals and make unauthorized withdrawals in exchange for payment.
Between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, Ashley traveled with Herrera and two other co-conspirators to bank branches in Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania. Authorities say Ashley used victims’ identification to make or attempt withdrawals from their accounts.
On Feb. 5, the group went to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport, where Ashley withdrew money from the account of a victim in Erie, Pennsylvania, and purchased a bank check using those funds.
Later the same day, the group went to another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville, where Ashley again withdrew money and purchased a bank check using funds from another victim’s account.
Prosecutors say Herrera also used another person’s identification during the commission of the crime.
Authorities estimate the total loss, including attempted withdrawals, at $91,300.
Ashley has already been convicted in the case and is awaiting sentencing.
Herrera now faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
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