Brother And Sister Charged With Conspiracy

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jeriel Slay, 28, of Brooklyn, NY, and his sister, Angela Slay, 28, of Jamaica, NY, were charged by criminal complaint with engaging in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that between December 2016 and September 2018, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to defraud multiple victims. As a part of their scheme, Jeriel and Angela Slay, who are siblings, stole the identities of unsuspecting victims and created fictitious Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), with company names indicating ownership by the victims. The defendants then opened bank accounts under the names of the LLCs and fraudulently transferred money from a victim’s actual bank account to the LLC bank account.  

In August 2018, search warrants were executed at two residences occupied by the defendants in Miami Beach and Miramar, Florida. During those searches, investigators recovered:

• dozens of fraudulently created credit cards in the names of multiple individuals, including blanks, partially completed cards, and fully completed cards;
• dozens of fraudulently created driver's licenses including licenses with pictures of Jeriel Slay;
• over $45,000 in cash;
• financial statements including bank statements, utility bills, retirement account information, and other identifying information which corresponded with fraudulently created ID's and credit cards;
• financial documents including statements for fraudulently created bank accounts and LLC documentation;
• a card embosser, card printer, stamping machine, and supplies including blank cards, security chips, and ink; and
• a social security card for an individual not tied to the residence.

The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and were released.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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