Four men are accused of attempting to cash a US Treasury check for more than $27 million, authorities said. They were apprehended on November 10 at a South Florida restaurant after unwittingly including an undercover officer in their plan.
According to a federal criminal complaint, investigators apprehended Carlos Manuel Villaneuva, 37, of Hialeah, Florida; Eric Renard Bedford, 44, of Houston; Jorge Cruz Garcia, 30, of Katy, Texas; and John Ryan Boxie, 43, of Houston.
The four men are charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of theft of government property.
The tax refund check for $27,910,676.69 was supposed to go to an unknown corporation in Richmond, Virginia, but it had not been cashed.
According to the criminal complaint, “a source of information” informed federal authorities that Villanueva had access to the check. On November 5, Villanueva began speaking with an individual identified as “Banker” in the complaint, whom he believed could assist him in cashing the check. The “Banker” was an undercover officer for the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Villaneuva allegedly showed the undercover cop images and recordings of the check, claiming that three other men living outside of Florida had it. He said that the trio could travel to Florida, but he required assistance cashing the check because the company was closed and the check would expire on November 12.
According to the complaint, Villanueva informed the agent that his part of the check would be $5.6 million and requested that the officer set up three distinct bank accounts to transfer the payments. He allegedly claimed that the men have “access to other checks of a large amount and can get more.”
The males arranged to meet at an unnamed restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Broward County, at around 12 p.m. ET on November 10.
Villaneuva came to the restaurant at 11:45 a.m., while Garcia arrived about an hour later, according to the lawsuit. Garcia dubbed himself “David.” According to investigations, Garcia “claimed to have extensive experience in negotiating stolen checks, particularly U.S. Treasury checks,” but “also mentioned that he operates a business that is used to funnel the proceeds from these stolen checks.”
According to the lawsuit, Boxie and Bedford arrived at the restaurant in a white Maserati with Virginia license plates around 1:20 p.m.
According to agents, Boxie introduced himself as an accountant “with extensive financial and bank experience, having worked for two separate tax preparation firms” in Houston. The men discussed opening the accounts and depositing $300,000 to $400,000 each day “to avoid scrutiny.”
According to the complaint, he claimed to have held onto the check for nearly a year because he couldn’t find anyone to cash or deposit it.
After the men agreed on the plan, Boxie allegedly instructed Bedford to go to the Maserati and return with a white envelope containing the check.
According to the complaint, as soon as the check was given to the undercover officer, officers from the United States Postal Inspection Service who were “monitoring the meeting” confronted and arrested the individuals.
It was unclear how the individuals received the check or whether the corporation that owed the money reported it stolen and requested a replacement.
On November 12, the four guys made their initial appearance in federal court in Fort Lauderdale.
The judge ordered bond at $100,000 with a Nebbia hold for Garcia, Bedford, and Boxie, and $50,000 with a Nebbia hold for Villanueva. A Nebbia hold compels defendants to establish that the money they post for bond comes from legitimate, non-criminal sources.
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