Five members of a Miami Gardens theft ring have entered guilty pleas for a multitude of charges, including drug trafficking, bank fraud, and a mail theft conspiracy that netted them $1.7 million in altered and stolen checks, as per federal court admissions. Their operation, sophisticated in its orchestration, exploited stolen U.S. Postal Service mail keys and counterfeit checks to defraud banks and individuals alike.
Involved in the scheme were Angel Joe Gonzalez, 28; Evens Necler Monestime, 27; David Gonzalez, 23; Cristina Azahares, 27; and Adriana Ginel, 56, whose actions spanned from September 2021 to May 2023, according to a statement obtained by the Department of Justice. Utilizing unauthorized keys to unlock postal boxes, the group pilfered mail, altered checks taken from that mail, and then laundered the funds through various bank accounts.
The authorities were tipped off to the criminal activity when responding to a shots-fired call at the Miami Gardens home of Angel Joe Gonzalez, Azahares, and Monestime on May 3, 2023. Police found a staggering collection of illicit materials including mail, checks, and narcotics at the residence, alongside a range of electronics and firearms. Angel Joe Gonzalez faced additional charges for possession of a firearm connected to drug trafficking after the discovery of more contraband in a vehicle registered in his name.
Papers from the court have shown that Angel Joe Gonzalez and David Gonzalez took their criminal endeavors online, moderating a Telegram group of some 2,000 participants to sell stolen checks. The charges have brought them face-to-face with severe penalties; the group did recklessly constitute a direct threat to the financial security of countless individuals and institutions. Angel Joe Gonzalez and Monestime could face life in prison, while the other three defendants might see up to 30 years each for their crimes, as detailed by the same press release.
The case was a collaborative effort by the FBI Miami Field Office, the City of Miami Gardens Police Department, and various attorneys, including Jennifer Burns and Alieu Kargbo of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Quinshawna Landon for the Southern District of Florida. This case falls under the purview of the Violent Crime Initiative, a project aimed at addressing and preventing gang-related violent crimes using federal intervention.
While the indictment for this case signifies allegations, it is important to remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. Their guilty pleas represent a significant step in the judicial process, and they await sentencing to determine the ultimate impact of their actions.
