Investigation Division Secures Convictions in Three Separate ID Theft, Fraud Trials
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the trial conviction of JULIAN POMALES, a/k/a “JUJU,” 34, for leading an operation that used stolen credit cards and stolen phones’ financial applications to purchase more than $420,000 worth of Apple products and other luxury goods. The ring specifically sought out intoxicated individuals at Manhattan nightclubs, stole their phones and credit cards, and bought dozens of items late at night to resell for cash – a process they referred to as “Grinch-ing” – between October 2022 and August 2023.
POMALES was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury on April 9, 2025, of multiple counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and Identity Theft in the First Degree, as well Robbery and Burglary in the Third Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. He is expected to be sentenced on June 11, 2025.
Ring members PROMISE “P” SHIPPY and BLERINA PRELVUKAJ previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy in the Fourth and Fifth Degrees pertaining to their roles. Additional details about the operation can be found here.
“As the leader of the ‘Grinchsters’, Julian Pomales specifically sought out and targeted intoxicated New Yorkers enjoying our borough’s vibrant nightlife,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As illustrated by the variety of cases brought by my Office’s Financial Frauds, Major Economic Crimes, and Cyber Crime Bureaus, identity theft affects New Yorkers of all walks of life. It is one of the most common crimes we see, targeting anyone with a bank account and, increasingly, with a cell phone. I urge New Yorkers to stay vigilant by using strong passwords, monitoring their accounts and reporting suspicious activity. We are here to help: call us at 212-335-8900 if you are a Manhattanite who has been a victim of identity theft or other fraud.”
Combatting Identity Theft and Other Fraud
Recent Convictions
On March 10, 2025, Miokar Wehye was convicted on all counts at trial for operating an identity theft and larceny ring out of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Canada that targeted victims across the country, including in Manhattan. Wehye and his co-conspirators stole over $470,000 and attempted to steal an additional $992,000 from Manhattan victims using stolen identities and creating fraudulent accounts at various financial institutions. He used the victims’ real personal identifying information to create forged drivers’ licenses, and falsified business records to open accounts in the victims’ names at business loan financing institutions, banks, and international payment companies. He is expected to be sentenced on May 7, 2025.
On April 1, 2025, Keber Martinez Herrera was convicted on all counts at trial for his role in a check fraud scheme. Alongside 8 other individuals who have since pleaded guilty, the defendant accessed a check cashing repository and used stolen bank account information to steal more than $50,000 from both Chase Bank and Citibank. He is expected to be sentenced on April 23, 2025. In September 2024, Martinez Herrera was sentenced to 12 years in state prison pertaining to shooting patients in the Jacobi Hospital emergency room in a case prosecuted by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.
On April 10, 2025, Daria Sewell pleaded guilty to stealing personal identifying information from TD Bank customers while employed by the company. She is expected to be sentenced on June 12, 2025.
Recent Indictments[1]
On October 2, 2024, Upper West Side doorman Alfredo Mateo was indicted for allegedly stealing approximately $477,685 from a retired New York City schoolteacher and her husband using checks he stole from their apartment.
On January 13, 2025, a four-member identity theft ring, including alleged ringleader Akeem Henry, was indicted for a major scheme to defraud in which they allegedly accessed multiple victims’ phone numbers through SIM-swapping, stole their debit and credit cards from the mail, and drained the victims’ bank accounts, stealing more than $500,000 from just five of their victims, including a public-school PTA and a home health aide.
On April 3, 2025, Nfamoussa Sylla was indicted for allegedly committing a check fraud scheme involving $333,856 in fraudulent deposits, of which he successfully withdrew $116,500, using aliases and forged passports purportedly issued by Togo, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and the Ivory Coast.
Acknowledgments
Assistant D.A.s Luis Morales and Joseph Pepe are handling the prosecution of the POMALES case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Kofi Sansculotte (Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau) and Executive Assistant D.A. Jodie Kane (Chief of the Investigation Division).
Paralegals Sofia Albi and Jacob Sowers, Investigative Analysts Emily O’Brien, Max Stahl and Reilly Fletcher, and Program Coordinator Emely Salazar Perez assisted with the investigation. Investigative support was provided by the Investigation Bureau’s Assistant Chief Jonathan Reid, Assistant Chief Michael Wigdor, and Chief Investigator Alexander Walter. The High Technology Analysis Unit (Director Steven Moran and Supervising Computer Forensic Analyst Douglas Daus) also provided valuable support. Former Investigative Analyst Isabella Fierro also assisted.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, especially Detective Vincent Catalano and Sergeant Matthew Doherty of the Financial Crimes Task Force, Organized Theft Squad.
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[1] The charges contained in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.