(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – Two Venezuelan nationals have been arrested and charged with bank theft and conspiracy after allegedly orchestrating a multi-state ATM jackpotting scheme that resulted in the theft of nearly $300,000.
David Jose Gomez Cegarra, 24, and Jesus Segundo Hernandez-Gil, 19, both identified as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, were taken into custody and charged in a federal criminal complaint. The charges carry a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
Multi-State ATM Jackpotting Scheme
According to prosecutors, the suspects engaged in an ATM jackpotting operation, a scheme in which criminals manipulate ATMs using malware or modified hard drives to gain control and force the machines to dispense large sums of cash.
Investigators say the first known incident occurred on October 5, 2024, at Radius Federal Credit Union in Kenmore, N.Y., where surveillance footage allegedly captured the suspects tampering with a drive-up ATM. Over several hours, fraudulent withdrawals drained $110,440 from the machine.
Similar incidents were reported at:
- St. Maly’s Federal Credit Union, Framingham, MA (Oct. 6)
- First National Bank of Dryden, Dryden, NY (Oct. 17)
- Two Community First Bank locations, Mount Vernon, IL (Nov. 11)
These events resulted in an additional $187,000 in stolen funds.
On November 11, 2024, Mahomet, Illinois, police stopped a vehicle driven by Gomez-Cegarra and Hernandez-Gil for suspicious activity. Both men presented Venezuelan identification and were later arrested in connection with the Mount Vernon ATM thefts.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, along with multiple law enforcement agencies across New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey E. Intravatola and Douglas A.C. Penrose are prosecuting the case. Authorities emphasize that charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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