Three co-conspirators have been sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating an elaborate, multi-state bank fraud operation that targeted federally insured financial institutions using stolen identities, counterfeit U.S. military credentials, and chemically “washed” checks.
The defendants attempted to steal more than $300,000 across five states—Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania—successfully making off with $58,800 before law enforcement dismantled the operation.
The case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman sentenced the three defendants in Evansville federal court:
Courtney J. Jackson, 38, of Connecticut: Sentenced to 8 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jackson was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Samuel B. Javier, 28, of Bronx, New York: Sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. Javier was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. A citizen of the Dominican Republic with an expired visa, Javier faces mandatory removal from the United States upon completion of his sentence.
Patricia A. Cimino (a.k.a. Pattianne Rodriguez), 62, of Connecticut: Sentenced to 3 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Cimino was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
All three defendants were ordered to pay $58,800.00 in restitution.
According to court records, between August 1 and September 16, 2025, the trio carried out or attempted approximately 30 fraudulent transactions at financial institutions. The conspiracy utilized sophisticated tactics, including:
Earpiece-Guided Bank Fraud: On September 13, 2025, Jackson and Javier directed Cimino to enter a bank in Princeton, Indiana, posing as a victim identified as “M.B.” Cimino presented a counterfeit U.S. Army identification card featuring M.B.’s name and Cimino’s photograph. When bank tellers asked for additional security verification, Jackson and Javier fed M.B.’s Social Security number and date of birth to Cimino through a hidden earpiece. The maneuver allowed Cimino to walk out with $8,700.
Shipment of Counterfeit Credentials: On September 17, 2025, Javier shipped a FedEx package from Indianapolis to the Bronx. Federal agents intercepted the package, finding seven fake U.S. Army IDs, seven counterfeit U.S. passport cards—all displaying Cimino’s photo paired with different victims’ personal information—and 14 stolen checks.
Check-Washing Ring: The group obtained stolen checks, used chemical solutions to erase the original ink, and rewrote them to themselves for higher amounts. They attempted to deposit these altered checks into controlled accounts, seeking to net an additional $149,286.45 on top of $180,058.19 in attempted cash withdrawals.
“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,” said Tom Wheeler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Today’s sentences reaffirm our commitment to protecting Hoosiers by aggressively pursuing fraudsters.”
“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 Timothy J. O’Malley, FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge. “This investigation is a good example of law enforcement agencies working together to identify a coordinated criminal scheme and bring those responsible to justice.”
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and the Indiana State Police (ISP). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew B. Miller and Todd S. Shellenbarger prosecuted the case.
