The New York State Police initiated an investigation into a check scheme in March 2023. The investigation has led to the arrest of 29-year-old Anisa M. Figueroa and 28-year-old Jahquel S. Robertson, both of Troy, New York, and 30-year-old Erik Apointe Ortiz Jr. of Albany, New York.
Figueroa and Robertson allegedly gave Ortiz a forged check to cash at an East Greenbush bank in New York. Detectives interrupted the transaction and apprehended Ortiz. Along with the forged check, Ortiz had a controlled substance in his possession.
Authorities apprehended Figueroa and Robertson in Colonie, New York. A search of the vehicle produced additional fraudulent checks.
Detectives issued a warrant to search Figueroa and Robertson’s home in Troy, New York. The search found equipment to generate forged checks, controlled substances, debit cards belonging to other people, and packaging materials for illicit drugs.
Erik Aponte Ortiz Jr. has been charged with Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Jahquel S. Robertson has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, attempted Grand Larceny, Conspiracy, Petit Larceny, Forgery, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Anisa M. Figueroa has been charged with Conspiracy, Attempted-Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument.
ALBANY, NY – District Attorney P. David Soares announced today that JAHQUEL ROBERTSON, 22, of Albany, was sentenced to 3 2/3 to 11 years in State Prison, before the Honorable Peter A. Lynch in Albany County Court this morning.
On November 22, 2017, ROBERTSON pleaded guilty to (1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Forgery Device, a Class D Felony, and (1) Count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.
Between March and October of 2017, ROBERTSON orchestrated a check fraud scheme that plagued numerous banks and Price Chopper branches throughout Albany County, commencing investigations by several law enforcement agencies including the US Postal Inspectors, New York State Police, Colonie PD, Albany PD, Guilderland PD, Bethlehem PD, Cohoes PD, and Watervliet PD.
Specifically, on September 29, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant at ROBERTSON’S residence, a laptop was recovered containing many of the forged checks produced and used over the past year. The loss sustained by the victim banks and Price Chopper branches is estimated to be approximately $41,000.00.