Long Island Man Convicted of Armed Robbery of More Than $375,000 From Wells Fargo Bank

A federal jury in Central Islip, New York, returned a guilty verdict last night against Anael Sainfil on three counts of a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, armed bank robbery and brandishing firearms during a crime of violence.  The verdict came after a four-day trial before Senior United States District Judge Leonard D. Wexler.    

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI),  Patrick J. Ryder,  Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), and John Barry, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD).

“The brazen violence carried out by the defendant Anael Sainfil and his co-conspirators will not be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to protecting the public from those who put the lives of men, women and children in our community in jeopardy.”  Mr. Donoghue expressed his appreciation to the FBI, NCPD and SCPD for their tireless efforts in bringing all participants involved in the robbery to justice.

The evidence at trial established that on November 9, 2015, the defendant, Anael Sainfil and his co-conspirators executed a plan to rob a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Hempstead, New York.  The defendant acted as a lookout as his co-conspirators entered the bank armed with a semi-automatic assault rifle and numerous other firearms.  While the defendant stood guard, an armed takeover of the bank took place.  Tellers and customers, including an 8-year old boy, were zip-tied and held captive as the bank’s vault was emptied of over $375,000.  The defendant and his cohorts were unaware that a bank teller had placed a wireless GPS tracker with the stolen money.  Hempstead Police Department Officers initiated a pursuit, which resulted in the apprehension of one of the gunman that day.  Following an extensive investigation by the FBI, NCPD and SCPD, all nine participants in the robbery conspiracy were ultimately apprehended, including Anael Sainfil, who was arrested on December 21, 2016.  The proceeds of the robbery were recovered.

When sentenced, Sainfil faces a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment, and a maximum of life imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Erin Reid are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

ANAEL SAINFIL
Age: 22
Residence: Bay Shore, New York  

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-652 (S-1) (LDW)