1. Federal ATM jackpotting case sentencing
2. First defendant federal case ATM jackpotting.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Carlos Jordano Herrera Ruiz, a 34-year-old man from Miami, Florida, was recently sentenced to three years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of ATM hacking incidents across the South Plains region. The sentencing was handed down by Federal District Judge James Hendrix, who described Ruiz’s crime spree as brazen and reckless.
Ruiz, along with his co-defendants Yordanis Sanchez Tamayo, 42, and Abel Valdes Ugarte, 39, admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars by hacking into ATMs in the area. Initially facing a 14-count indictment, the men pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit bank theft in February.
As part of a plea deal, federal prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining charges against them. Tamayo and Ugarte are scheduled to appear in court for their sentencing hearings on June 6.
In addition to federal charges, the trio also faces state-level charges of theft from an automated teller machine, which could result in a two to 20-year prison sentence. The charges stem from an investigation by the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, with assistance from the Lubbock Police Department, in August.
According to court documents, the men employed a technique known as ATM jackpotting, where they used computers to install malicious software on ATMs, forcing them to dispense cash on demand. The first reported incident occurred at a convenience store in west Lubbock, where the thieves made off with over $5,700.
Subsequent attacks targeted ATMs in Herford and Amarillo, resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars. The men were identified after an investigation led authorities to a hotel in Lubbock where they were staying.
A search of the hotel room yielded incriminating evidence, including computer parts, credit card readers, and Raspberry Pi devices used in the hacks. The men allegedly sent the stolen money to an unknown recipient through wire transfers and gift cards.
History of Criminal Activity
Ruiz’s criminal history was a factor in determining his sentence, as he has prior convictions for violent offences, including aggravated assault and domestic battery. Judge Hendrix cited Ruiz’s disregard for the law and the safety of the community in handing down the three-year prison term.
Despite Ruiz’s apology in court and his expressed desire to turn his life around, the judge emphasized the seriousness of his crimes and the need for a significant sentence to deter future criminal activity.
While Ruiz’s co-defendants await their sentencing hearings, he will begin serving his three-year prison term, with the possibility of deportation to Cuba upon completion. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in cybercrime and the importance of upholding the law to protect the financial security of individuals and businesses.
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1. Defendant sentenced federal ATM jackpotting case
2. First defendant federal ATM jackpotting case.
