A federal indictment unsealed earlier this week charges seven Albany residents in connection with a money laundering conspiracy involving approximately $7.1 million in alleged illicit funds. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that the investigation, known as Operation Tidal Wave, also resulted in one of the largest firearms seizures in the district’s history.
The accused are identified as Iziah Cox, 38; Kaya Cox, 41; Sincere Cox, 26; Davion Carrington, 38; Jahmell Manso, 27; Tiffany Banks, 42, all from Albany; and Tamicca Jennings, 34, from Troy, New York. They are charged with using schemes to defraud businesses and individuals internationally. The indictment states that the operations involved business email compromises (BECs), in which the defendants allegedly impersonated legitimate businesses to redirect financial transactions to their own accounts. The group is also alleged to have used doing business as (DBA) entities to open bank accounts under the names of real companies in order to receive and quickly transfer funds.
The investigation began after a regional financial institution in Albany reported suspicious account activity to the FBI. With assistance from the Albany Regional Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes local, state, and federal agencies, authorities recovered 135 firearms on August 19, 2025. The seized weapons included machine guns, high-capacity magazines, and firearms with removed serial numbers. Iziah Cox is also charged with illegal possession of a firearm as a felon.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III highlighted the joint effort of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the FBI, the IRS, and the Albany and Troy Police Departments in the investigation. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated that the agency focused on addressing the financial crimes identified during the operation.
If convicted, the defendants could face substantial penalties. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a possible fine of up to $500,000. Iziah Cox also faces a potential additional 15-year sentence related to the firearm charge. These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigations are being conducted by the FBI and the Albany Regional Financial Crimes Task Force, with assistance from other federal and state law enforcement agencies. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Matthew M. Paulbeck, and Joshua R. Rosenthal.
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