Brattleboro linked to significant bank and wire fraud scheme totaling over $500,000

The charges stem from activities that allegedly took place between August 2024 and August 2025.

Federal law enforcement has apprehended five individuals from outside Vermont in connection with an extensive fraud investigation impacting several banks and credit unions in Vermont and neighboring states. The U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed that coordinated operations led to these arrests across different locations, including New York and New Jersey, on a recent Tuesday.

The indictment outlines charges of conspiracy related to wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft against seven suspects, with two additional individuals still being pursued by authorities. The charges stem from activities that allegedly took place between August 2024 and August 2025, during which the suspects are accused of defrauding multiple financial institutions by using deceptive practices.

Among the financial institutions targeted were several in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, including Northfield Savings Bank, East Rise Credit Union, and Bar Harbor Bank and Trust. A notable transaction cited in the indictment occurred on July 31, 2025, involving a check for $22,134 deposited at Members First Credit Union in Brattleboro.

The investigation is being led by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Division in Vermont and is supported by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The criminal conspiracy reportedly involved the opening of bank accounts across several states under fraudulent pretenses. The indicted individuals allegedly deposited U.S. Treasury checks falsely made out to other individuals and withdrew funds immediately afterward.

The group, which includes suspects Corey Vasquez, Mark Ochoa, Lindsay Sheehan, James Michael Roosevelt Williams, and Davin Olin, is accused of moving more than $500,000 through this fraudulent scheme, necessitating a forfeiture of any illegally gained funds as part of the indictment.

Olin, who also has ties to Hackensack, N.J., facilitated the operation by obtaining U.S. Treasury checks under false names and supplying these checks along with fake identification documents to other conspirators. The other defendants reportedly received these materials to execute their scheme of defrauding banks.

If found guilty, these individuals may face sentences of up to 30 years, with additional charges related to identity theft carrying mandatory minimum terms, including two consecutive years for some members.

While Olin appeared in court in New Jersey for preliminary hearings and was detained, the others involved are expected to face similar legal proceedings soon, with arrangements made for their appearance in Vermont’s U.S. District Court. Federal agents are pursuing the remaining suspects as part of the larger investigation.

The Department of Justice highlighted the formation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division earlier this year to intensify efforts against financial crimes, a mission underscored by the need to protect taxpayer funds and eliminate fraudulent activities across federal programs.