Five defendants pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in a sophisticated scheme involving stolen U.S. Postal Service mail keys and counterfeit checks, authorities announced. The defendants, all from Miami Gardens, Florida, admitted to stealing checks and mail, altering the amounts, and using counterfeit identification to cash the fraudulent checks. Some were also involved in drug trafficking.
From September 2021 through May 2023, Angel Joe Gonzalez, 28; Evens Necler Monestime, 27; David Gonzalez, 23; Cristina Azahares, 27; and Adriana Ginel, 56, conspired to defraud federally insured financial institutions. The scheme involved obtaining stolen mail using USPS arrow keys, producing counterfeit checks, using personal identifying information without authorization, and depositing the altered checks into accounts they controlled. The proceeds were used for personal gain and to further the conspiracy.
The investigation began on May 3, 2023, when Miami Gardens Police responded to reports of shots fired at a residence shared by Angel Joe Gonzalez, Azahares, and Monestime. Officers seized approximately $1.7 million in stolen checks and mail, six USPS mail keys, 40 debit and credit cards in other people’s names, 27 cell phones, six laptops, two iPads, a digital video recorder, and multiple firearms and ammunition. Narcotics found included heroin, cocaine, MDMA pills, and fentanyl. Scales and packaging materials for drug distribution were also recovered.
Angel Joe Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail keys, conspiracy to commit money laundering, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Monestime admitted to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, possession of stolen mail keys, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. David Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen mail keys. Azahares and Ginel each pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Investigators revealed that Angel Joe Gonzalez and David Gonzalez moderated a Telegram group of roughly 2,000 members where stolen checks were sold.
Angel Joe Gonzalez and Monestime face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, up to life, while David Gonzalez, Azahares, and Ginel face a minimum of two years and a maximum of 30 years.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones, and FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles announced the guilty pleas. The FBI Miami Field Office led the investigation with assistance from the City of Miami Gardens Police Department.
